We urge the NCAA to temporarily raise roster limits during the transition to the new five-year eligibility model so the Class of 2027 does not lose recruiting opportunities. 

By allowing current college athletes an additional year of competition while maintaining fixed roster limits, many Division I programs now have significantly fewer roster openings for incoming recruits. The result is that athletes in the graduating classes of 2027 may lose opportunities through no fault of their own.

We are not asking the NCAA to eliminate five-year eligibility.

Instead, we respectfully request a temporary transition policy that allows colleges to exceed roster limits by the number of returning fifth-year athletes for the 2027 and 2028 recruiting cycles. As those athletes graduate, roster limits would naturally return to their permanent levels.

This solution would:

• Preserve opportunities for current college athletes.
• Protect recruiting opportunities for current high school athletes.
• Reduce disruption during the transition.
• Promote fairness for all parties.

Thousands of student-athletes have spent years training, competing, and planning their futures based on a recruiting landscape that has now changed dramatically. A temporary roster adjustment would help ensure that one generation of recruits does not bear a disproportionate burden of this transition.

We respectfully ask the NCAA, conference commissioners, athletic directors, and member institutions to adopt a temporary roster expansion during the transition to the new eligibility model.