We have had a lot happen over the last month or two with regard to NCAA rule changes. Most notably was the new 5 for 5 rule across the board for all NCAA levels. What began as only for the D1 level was soon followed by both the D2 and D3 levels as well.
So what exactly are the specifics of the 5 for 5 rule. At its most basic premise, the 5 for 5 means that a student-athlete has 5 years of actual playing seasons now available to them. This rule replaces the traditional 4 seasons of competition in 5 calendar years framework. Athletes now receive 5 full seasons of competition during a 5 year window.
The 5 year eligibility clock begins at full-time enrollment or the academic year following an athletes 19th birthday. Whichever happens first. No longer in effect is the “traditional redshirt system”, along with medical or extension waivers. There will be still be “hard exceptions” such as active military service, official religious missions, or pregnancy.
So what does this mean for the 2027 high school class and beyond? In very simplistic terms, the recruiting process just became even harder. Previously, it was the new 34 roster limit and the transfer portal as the new obstacles to try and overcome. Now with the new 5 for 5 rule in full effect, existing future roster needs for teams has been reduced to varying levels. In our podcast The Recruiting Roundtable Episode 8, Coach Eric Cruz of D2 Nova Southeastern University in the elite Sunshine State Conference, explained that with this new ruling at the start of the 26/27 academic year, all but one of his position players will be eligible to return for the 27/28 academic year. Now that certainly doesn’t mean a school stops evaluating and recruiting both high school and JUCO players, but it certainly slows down the process. Keep in mind, in todays landscape, a D2 player that has a very productive season is very likely to parlay that into “leveling up” to D1 for the following year. Thus creating new opportunities for those programs that will lose players in this manner. No different when a non P4 or mid major player has a very successful season and turns that into a P4/higher level within D1 opportunity.
What about the “trickle down effect?” This is real. With potentially fewer opportunities at all the NCAA levels, the JUCO and NAIA levels will now have an even larger pool of players to choose from. I saw more JUCO’s out this summer aggressively evaluating and offering the 2027 class than in previous years. Why? Because there are a lot of good 2027’s still looking for a home for next year. Their pool of players to choose from(and the quality), has now grown exponentially.
So what does this mean for the 2027 class and beyond? First and foremost, come to grips with the fact that the supply of players at the high school level is larger than the demand more so than ever. While there is no need to panic if you are a 2027 and have not committed yet, the time is now to really streamline your search. In addition, keep in mind, player portability is on your side. “There are no or very few straight lines in your recruitment journey with todays landscape.” Sometimes to get to your “ideal” school, it may take a few twists and turns to get there. Whether that is attending a JUCO to start your career. Or attending a 4 year school at a lower level to get to your desired landing spot down the road after a high level of production.
For the JUCO player, your recruitment process may also take a bit longer as 4 year schools have more time/options now to determine what their needs will be for the following season. Stay open minded to all different level of 4 year schools.
In the end, a strategic and streamlined approach is needed, whether a high school or JUCO player. In addition, DO NOT look a gift horse in the mouth when a school is interested and potentially makes an offer. Look for as many positives in the situation and do not procrastinate. Maybe the climate is not ideal for you. To that we tell our players and families, no one is asking you to move there for the rest of life. As a former JUCO Head Coach, I started every fall season with an opening statement. “Not one person here grew up at 5/6 years old or whenever you started playing the game, hoping you would wind up at a JUCO. Yet, here we are. And what this privileged opportunity will bring you is options for the next step in your career. Options that would have never even been in the realm of things out of high school. Work hard and win. Develop, both on and off the field, and good fortune will follow because of the opportunity in front of you.”
To learn more about who we are and if we may be the right fit for you, visit our website. Fill out a Contact Info Form and someone will get back to you. You can also find all 8 Episodes of our very informative podcast “The Recruiting Roundtable” on Apple Podcasts.
Best of luck this Fall and Spring.
