There’s plenty of discussion about whether the current set of rules regarding eligibility for college athletes is in a good spot. With former NBA G-League players returning to college hoops, overseas pros flocking to college sports and other controversial athletes participating, it’s been a hot-button issue.
As a result, according to a report from Pete Nakos of On3, the DI Cabinet is ‘expected to vote on age-based eligibility’ next month.
In the report, it did not specify exactly what the age-based eligibility would entail. It would likely add a cap to how old a player can be who plays college sports, though. It’s unclear how this would apply to athletes who serve missions or enter the military out of high school and delay the start of their collegiate careers.
The DI Cabinet is expected to vote on age-based eligibility in June.
Here is the expected implementation process: pic.twitter.com/UHAOlDV6bd
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) May 22, 2026
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The proposed implementation of rules are as follows, according to the report from Nakos:
- Student-athletes whose fourth season of collegiate eligibility was completed by spring 2026: No additional eligibility.
- Currently enrolled student-athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year: Flexibility for schools to apply the age-based model or continue with the previous eligibility rules (four seasons to compete with five total years of eligibility), whichever is most beneficial to that individual.
- Prospects expected to graduate from high school in spring 2027: Age-based model only.
- Prospects expected to graduate from high school in spring 2026, regardless of planned enrollment date: Age-based model only.
- Prospects who graduated to spring 2026 and have not enrolled: The NCAA Eligibility Center will review the prospect’s individual circumstances and apply the age-based model or existing delayed enrollment rules, whichever is most beneficial to that individual.
