Ohio Order Allows Fifth Year Of Eligibility For Some College Athletes
Ohio's governor has signed an executive order allowing state colleges to grant a fifth year of eligibility to athletes who graduated high school in 2022, bypassing NCAA eligibility rules.
Amarillo, TX, October 13, 2026 —
Ohio’s governor has signed an executive order allowing state colleges to grant a fifth year of eligibility to athletes who graduated from high school in 2022. The order bypasses NCAA eligibility rules, according to the information available about the decision.
The measure gives state colleges permission to extend eligibility for athletes in the specified graduating class. The available description does not identify the governor, provide the signing date or name the executive order. It also does not explain how colleges will apply the measure or whether athletes must meet additional conditions.
Further details about the order’s scope were not provided. The description does not specify which sports or colleges are covered, how many athletes could be affected, or whether the extension applies uniformly across state institutions. It also does not say whether any college has decided to grant an additional year to an athlete.
The order’s relationship with the NCAA is described as a bypass of the association’s eligibility rules. No response from the NCAA, details about how the association may address the order, or information about possible disputes were included. The available information does not outline what happens if a college chooses not to grant the additional year.
As described, the order is limited to athletes who graduated high school in 2022 and would allow—not require—state colleges to grant a fifth year of eligibility. The order’s text and implementation details were not provided, leaving the specific process and reach of the policy unclear.
Story summarized from the original created by EDDIE PELLS and ALANIS THAMES, Associated Press on www.myhighplains.com, see more information here.
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