The NCAA eligibility rules received a long awaited change earlier this summer when the college sports governing body approved a new five-year, age-based eligibility system.
Student-athletes will now have five years of eligibility beginning either when they enroll in school or after they turn 19-years old— whichever occurs first. The latter age designation was added to keep older foreign players from playing into their mid-20s which was the case in a few instances.
Under the past system, student-athletes had five years to play four seasons with no age restrictions. The new system abolishes redshirts and allows players to play in five full seasons if they see fit.
What does that mean for the Tennessee men’s basketball program and its current roster? While it won’t affect anything for the upcoming 2026-27 season, it could have real ramifications for the following 2027-28 season.
Belmont transfer Tyler Lundblade (a sixth-year senior) and VCU transfer Christian Fermin (a fifth-year senior) will still be out of eligibility at the conclusion of next season.
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The new rule will not have an impact on seniors Lundblade and Fermin but it will have a real impact on seniors Dai Dai Ames and Miles Rubin. The Chicago natives now have two more years of eligibility thanks to the change.
Rising juniors Juke Harris, Terrence Hill, Braedan Lue, Gavin Paull and Campbell Duncan now have three years of eligibility remaining instead of two. The rule may not have major ramifications on the potential first round draft pick Harris or the walk-ons Paull and Duncan. But it could change the dynamic for Hill and Lue.
The combo guard Hill projects as Tennessee’s starting point guard next season. If the Vols keep him for three years then he could end up being one of the more accomplished players of Barnes’ tenure in Knoxville.
Rising sophomores DeWayne Brown, Troy Henderson and Jalen Haralson now have a full four years of eligibility remaining while freshmen Marquis Clark, Manny Green, Ralph Scott and Chris Washington begin their college careers with five full years of eligibility.
