How the NCAA’s New “5 for 5” Rule Is Reshaping Clemson and South Carolina’s Rosters
A quiet but significant change has appeared on Clemson and South Carolina’s roster pages this year — the word “redshirt” is gone entirely. Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who only played three games in 2023 backing up Spencer Rattler, is now listed as a senior rather than a redshirt junior. Similarly, Clemson tackle Easton Ware, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, is listed as a sophomore instead of a redshirt freshman.
The Root of the Change: A New Eligibility Model
These reclassifications stem from the NCAA’s adoption of a “5 for 5” age-based eligibility model in June. Previously, athletes received four years of eligibility to be used within a five-year window. Starting in 2026-27, all Division I athletes now receive five years of eligibility within that same five-year window — effectively eliminating the need for the traditional redshirt system altogether.
While the rule change has sparked numerous lawsuits from former athletes seeking to retroactively benefit, it’s been broadly praised by current players and coaches as a positive development.
Redshirting Is Officially a Thing of the Past
For decades, players had to sit out entire seasons to preserve a year of eligibility. That threshold loosened gradually over time — the NCAA eventually allowed players to appear in up to four regular-season games (later expanded to nine) while still redshirting. Under the new system, none of that calculation matters anymore. As the piece explains: “A freshman football player could appear in one game, four games, 10 games or 12 games during a season. Regardless of his participation status, he’d still be a sophomore with four years of eligibility left the following season.” This removes pressure on coaches to strategically limit playing time and eliminates the awkward scenario of players abruptly leaving mid-season to preserve eligibility — something that had previously occurred at both Clemson and South Carolina.
How Rosters Are Now Classified
Both programs have adopted a straightforward classification system recommended by College Sports Communicators (CSC), a national association for sports information professionals:
- Freshman (first year)
- Sophomore (second year)
- Junior (third year)
- Senior (fourth year)
- Fifth (fifth year)
Under this system, a player’s listed class corresponds directly to their number of years in the sport, regardless of injury history, playing time, or transfer status. CSC president Matt Panto acknowledged the imperfection of a one-size-fits-all approach, writing: “We recognize that no single solution perfectly addresses every student-athlete’s individual circumstance under the evolving eligibility landscape.” Notably, this recommendation applies only to the 2026-27 season, suggesting further adjustments could follow.
The End of “True Freshman”
One notable casualty of this shift is the once-celebrated “true freshman” designation. Since the concept only had meaning in contrast to a “redshirt freshman,” and that classification no longer exists, every first-year player is now simply a “freshman” — regardless of whether they played extensively or not at all. The piece notes this affects standout newcomers like Clemson’s Tait Reynolds and South Carolina’s J’Zavien Currence, whose freshman classification no longer carries the same distinguishing weight it once did.
A Remaining Wrinkle: Medical Extensions
Despite the new system’s general five-year cap, medical extension waivers remain possible in specific circumstances — for instance, a player missing two full seasons to injury within their eligibility window. Both South Carolina’s Jayden Gibson and Clemson’s Cole Turner could potentially qualify for such waivers, which would likely result in a “sixth-year” designation if granted down the line.
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