The NCAA’s recent decision to give college athletes five years to play five seasons is about to shake up Ohio State’s football roster. This change wipes out redshirts and waivers, handing players more flexibility and a longer window to compete.
So, what does that mean for the Buckeyes? Let’s dig into how this new rule could shape current and future players, and maybe even nudge some career choices in surprising directions.
The New NCAA Rule: Five Years to Play Five Seasons
In June, the NCAA dropped a big one: athletes now get five years to play five seasons. The five-year “clock” starts ticking when a player enrolls as a freshman or turns 19—whichever comes first.
Exceptions? For men, only military service or religious reasons count. Women can add pregnancy to the mix. The rule isn’t retroactive, so it only applies to those with eligibility left for the 2026-27 school year.
Impact on Ohio State’s Roster
Some Ohio State players thought 2026 would be their swan song. Thanks to the new rule, they could stick around through 2027 instead.
Sure, a few might still bolt for the NFL, but now they’ve got more options on the table. That’s a big shift, especially with NIL money floating around.
Key Players Benefiting from the Rule Change
So, who’s actually getting a boost here? Let’s check out the fourth-year players who could now suit up in 2027:
- LB Christian Alliegro
- WR Brandon Inniss
- CB Jermaine Mathews Jr.
- WR Devin McCuin
- OG Luke Montgomery
- DT James Smith
- TE Mason Williams
Quick takes: Alliegro, McCuin, and Williams? Odds are, they stick around another year. Inniss, Mathews, Montgomery, and Smith might chase the pros instead. Then again, with all that NIL cash, who knows—maybe a couple of them will want one more run in 2027.
Players with Extended Eligibility
There are four more Buckeyes who just picked up an extra year, giving them three seasons left instead of two:
- DT Eddrick Houston
- S Jaylen McClain
- LB Payton Pierce
- WR Jeremiah Smith
Quick takes: Technically, Jeremiah Smith could hang around through 2026. Out of Houston, McClain, and Pierce, maybe Pierce is the one most likely to use all five years—though who can really say?
Freshmen and Transfers: The New Landscape
This rule also changes things for true freshmen who didn’t redshirt last year. Now, they’ve got four years of eligibility ahead:
- LB TJ Alford
- DE Zion Grady
- RB Bo Jackson
- CB Dominick Kelly
- LB Riley Pettijohn
- TE Nate Roberts
- CB Devin Sanchez
- RB Isaiah West
Quick takes: It’s anyone’s guess what these guys will do by 2029. Sanchez could be deep into his NFL career by then, or maybe he’ll stick around—this rule just opens more doors.
Ohio State’s Recruiting Classes
For the 2026 recruiting class, the five-year rule means no more “true freshman” or “redshirt freshman.” Everyone’s just a freshman now. Simple, right?
With the 2027 class nearly wrapped up, Ohio State’s already eyeing 2028. The future’s still a work in progress, but folks like Garrick Hodge and Mark Porter are already breaking down the next wave of talent.
Conclusion: A New Era for College Football
The NCAA’s new rule is shaking things up in college football. Athletes now get more flexibility and longer eligibility, which is honestly overdue.
For Ohio State, this opens up the roster and lets coaches get a bit more creative. Sure, some players will still jump to the NFL, but now they’ve got real options to stick around and grow.
If you’re curious about the nitty-gritty of how this rule impacts Ohio State’s football roster, check out the source article.
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