The NCAA Division I Council’s approval of the age-based eligibility model, or “5-for-5,” could already be affecting college rosters.
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The measure allows athletes to use up to five seasons of eligibility within a five-year window. The clock would begin either immediately after an athlete enrolls at an institution or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday.
The new model is meant to help streamline the process by eliminating redshirting and eligibility waivers.
Athletes who completed their fourth season during the 2025-26 academic year would not receive an additional year of eligibility.
UCF coach Scott Frost believes the rule would force his staff to take a different look at the Knights’ roster.
“It changes some of our decisions for next year immediately,” Frost recently told the Ortlando Sentinel over the phone from Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas. “There are some kids we weren’t expecting to have an opportunity to retain that we might be able to if they want to be back and we want them.”
The second-year coach also believes the rule will eliminate ambiguity that comes with building a roster.
“You’re also going to eliminate the problem that everybody is having in the drama of kids deciding not to play after their fourth game, so they can save another year (of eligibility),” he said.
Prior to the new eligibility model, football players could play up to four regular-season games and still preserve a year of eligibility. Anything after the four games, however, would burn a player’s redshirt.
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UCF men’s basketball coach Johnny Dawkins agrees with his football counterpart, noting how it could affect roster continuity.
“Retention is important,” Dawkins recently told the Orlando Sentinel. “Your chemistry, your continuity. If you bring the right pieces back, it definitely gives you a head start going into the following season because they (players) already know your system.
“Some guys already get it and understand what you want. You add the age and now guys are 22 or 23 years old; they don’t age out yet and we can continue to develop them like we’re doing with John (Bol) or someone like Carmelo (Pacheco). I want those guys to be a part of what we’re trying to build here.”
There is concern, however, that the new rule would hurt incoming high school recruits, who could be passed over in favor of experienced transfers who have just received an additional year. For Dawkins, a veteran coach with nearly three decades of experience, freshmen remain a valuable part of the roster-building process.
“We still recruit freshmen. You’ll see us every year have like two or three,” said Dawkins. “I’m never not going to recruit freshmen. Some people have elected to stay as old as possible and freshmen don’t matter (to them), but that’s not my philosophy.”
Dawkins signed three freshmen as part of the Knights’ 2026 recruiting class: forward Ladarius Givan, forward Dylan Mann and guard Jahda Swann.
“I’m not recruiting them just to be placeholders for positions on the bench. If they can compete, they can get into the rotation or start. I’m not holding them back,” Dawkins added. “These kids came with that understanding that they can compete for the same opportunities as the upperclassmen and that’s fine because it’s competition and we want the best team out there.”
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: [email protected]. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
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