The Ripple Effect

How could the NCAA’s “Five-in-Five” proposal have reshaped teams?

When we first wrote this piece, the NCAA was actively debating a proposal known as “five-in-five,” which would have allowed student-athletes to compete in five seasons within five years. Earlier this month, however, the NCAA Division I Cabinet tabled the proposal through at least 2026-27 while continuing to research the topic.

That’s not the end of the conversation, though, because the Division II executive board has advanced the proposal and will vote on the rule this January. If it passes, it could open the door for fifth-year athletes to use that extra eligibility at a Division II program.

And while Division I has pressed pause, the issue still matters, especially for high-school swimmers considering a gap year. If “five-in-five” is eventually adopted in two years, it, combined with new roster limits could mean those taking gap years miss out on real opportunities. So let’s dive into why Division I will continue to study the issue, how it could impact future classes, and check our Commitment Tracker to see how many roster spots have been filling for the Class of 2027.