Max Friedl Sports Blog

Ever wonder how players are still playing college sports in their mid 20’s?

First the goal of the NCAA’s eligibility is to provide college athletes a length of time where they play and stay at one or more schools. A normal college student spends 4 years pursuing their undergraduate degree. During this time is also where student-athletes play their sports. Whether it be basketball, football, soccer, or even tennis. Players that are good enough commit for their respected sport professional league drafts. We hear big name players coming out of highschool all the time. These players that are good enough are often known as “one and done’s”. This is because they go to college and play for one year until they are able to enter the draft. However on the other end of the spectrum we have players who stay for 5 or 6 years. This is why eligibility is so important.

What is Redshirting?

Redshirting in NCAA sports is a strategic decision allowing a student-athlete to extend their period of eligibility by not competing in games for an entire season, thus preserving a year of eligibility. Essentially, athletes have five academic years to use four years of athletic eligibility, and redshirting helps to manage this timeline. This practice is common when an athlete needs more time to develop physically, adjust academically, or recover from an injury. During a redshirt year, the athlete can train with the team and attend classes but cannot participate in competitions. This not only helps them grow stronger and more skilled but also aligns their athletic peak with better team dynamics or individual readiness for competition.

What is the NIL rule? 

The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rule in college sports enables student-athletes to capitalize on their personal brand while still maintaining their amateur status. Whether it’s signing a brand deal with Nike or personal exposure through apps like TikTok or Instagram and everything or anything in between. Under this rule, athletes are now allowed to earn money through endorsements, sponsorships, and other opportunities that leverage their name, image, or likeness. This means they can participate in advertising campaigns, endorse products, and monetize their social media presence without jeopardizing their eligibility. Essentially, the NIL rule acknowledges the value that student-athletes bring to the table and empowers them to benefit from their own recognition and marketability, ushering in a new era of financial opportunities within college athletics. A common question that pushed this rule into play is “If a college sells jerseys/merchandise with a players name or identity on it, Shouldn’t they get a part of the benefits?”

Concluding eligibility, Many players stay in the collegiate level of sports because they make more money there than they would in pro level leagues. Not all professional sports pay the big bucks. The NBA only has a maximum of 450 players, 30 teams with up to 15 players each, whereas the division 1 NCAA basketball league has 351 participating schools with up to 15 players each. That’s 5,265 total players just in the highest tier of play. This means the cutoff from NCAA players to NBA players is a large margin.

Here’s some more resources to help understand:

What Is Redshirting In College Sports: How Does Redshirting Work & Is Redshirting Good Or Bad – Youtube Link 
What is NIL? NCAA Rule Explained – NCSANCSAhttps://www.ncsasports.org › name-image-likeness – Article