Eastern Washington, other Big Sky members fan of new 'five-for-five' eligibility rules

The NCAA's new eligibility rule, known as the "five-for-five" policy, has been met with enthusiasm by Eastern Washington and other Big Sky football teams. This change, adopted in July, allows players to play for a maximum of five years without the need for redshirting. The rule aims to simplify the complex system previously in place, which often involved waiving eligibility.

Under this new system, players can play in all five years of their Division I eligibility if they enroll in college by the academic year following their 19th birthday. For instance, Eastern Washington running back Malik Dotson, who transferred from junior college in 2023 and played four games in 2024, would not have been allowed to apply for a medical hardship waiver under the new system.

Dotson is currently recovering from an injury suffered in their opening game of 2025 and is set to return in 2026. This change has altered the competitive landscape across the Big Sky conference, allowing teams to utilize younger players more frequently and fostering increased competition. Coaches appreciate the fairness of the new system, believing it promotes more competitive practices and provides more depth to their teams.

However, the rule change has not been without its challenges, such as a federal court injunction that granted another year for 2022 high school graduates who had already used up their four years. Despite these challenges, the primary goal of the new system is to create a more equitable and competitive environment for all student-athletes.