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Montana Student-Athlete Granted a 9th Year of NCAA Eligibility

Last week, the NCAA approved a waiver granting a University of Montana football student-athlete a 9th year of eligibility after multiple documented injuries disrupted several seasons of participation throughout his career.

Situations like this are rare—but they underscore how the NCAA’s hardship waiver process can provide relief when extraordinary medical circumstances prevent a student-athlete from using their seasons of competition.

How Did He Reach a 9th Year?

Below is a timeline of his career based on publicly available information from the university:

  • 2018 – Underwent surgery prior to the start of the season
  • 2019 – Additional surgery related to the same injury
  • 2020 – Knee surgery following a summer injury (also the COVID eligibility relief year)
  • 2021 – Redshirt season
  • 2022 – Competed the full season
  • 2023 – Suffered another injury during training camp
  • 2024 – Played in the majority of the season
  • 2025 – Competed the full season
  • 2026 – Approved for a 9th year to complete a 4th season of competition

Why This Matters for Other Student-Athletes

This case illustrates how the NCAA may consider:

  • Repeated, documented medical hardships
  • Season-ending injuries occurring early in a season
  • The impact of the COVID relief year
  • Detailed medical documentation and institutional support
  • A clear history showing the athlete did not receive the intended competitive opportunities

Each waiver request is evaluated individually, and outcomes depend heavily on medical records, timelines, and how the case is presented.

Do You Have Questions About a Possible Additional Year of Eligiblity?

For the past 18 years, we have assisted hundreds of college student-athletes successfully navigate through the waivers and appeal process to continue playing the sport they  love.

If your student-athlete has experienced injuries, missed seasons, or other circumstances that may qualify for an extra year, we can answer your questions, discuss their specific situation, and provide options to consider.

To get started, schedule a confidential waivers and appeals consult online, call our office at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

 

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Parents: Don’t Let Your Athlete Withdraw From Classes!

Early in each term, we often hear from families asking whether an athlete can withdraw from classes without affecting eligibility.

If your athlete has already started classes as a full-time student, keep the following in mind:

  • Withdrawing from one class may be okay if they still remain full-time.
  • Withdrawing from all classes will almost always harm eligibility, both now and in the future.
  • Dropping a class late to avoid a failing grade may be acceptable in certain situations, but finishing the term is usually the better option.
  • Withdrawing from all courses results in no academic credit earned for the term, which can seriously impact future eligibility.

To discuss a potential class withdrawal and how it may impact your student-athlete’s current and future eligibility, schedule a confidential Eligibility Issues consultation online, call our office at 913-766-1235, or email rick@informedathlete.com.

 

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Redshirt Rules for Spring Sports 2026

With many spring sports now underway or starting soon, here is a quick review of redshirt rules at each college level.

If your athlete is a freshman at a Division II school, be sure to note the new rule below.

NCAA Division I

Any appearance in a regular-season contest (varsity or JV) — even if for only one or two minutes or one or two plays — uses a season of competition.

Preseason scrimmages or exhibitions may be exempt, BUT rules vary by sport. Student-Athletes should confirm with their school’s NCAA compliance office before participating in an exhibition contest or preseason scrimmage.

NCAA Division II

For athletes other than true freshmen, any appearance in a regular-season contest at the varsity or JV level uses a season of competition.

New Rule: True freshmen may compete in up to 30% of games/dates of competition in their sport and still redshirt.

NCAA Division III

To redshirt, an athlete must completely remove themselves from the team before the first game or contest of the season.

 Practicing once the season begins counts as a season of participation, even if an athlete never appears in a game.

 Important for transfers: This rule can negatively impact athletes transferring to Division III for what they expect to be their final season of eligibility after graduating from a non-D3 university.

NJCAA and CCCAA

Any appearance – even if only for one or two minutes or for one or two plays – in a regular-season contest (varsity or JV) uses a season of competition.

NAIA

The NAIA charges a season of competition if an athlete appears in more than 20% of the maximum games/dates of competition in their sport.

Important to Know:  Any participation in NAIA-approved postseason competition counts as a season used—even if it is the athlete’s only appearance all season.

Questions About Redshirting or Medical Redshirts?

Schedule a confidential Eligibility Issues Consult online, email rick@informedathlete.com, or call 913-766-1235.

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NCAA DIII Convention Actions

Transfer Portal

The NCAA Transfer Portal is currently optional for Division III schools.

However, starting in August 2026, the Transfer Portal will become mandatory for all D3 member universities.

Until then, D3 athletes must follow their school’s chosen process:

  • Transfer Portal notification method or the
  • “Permission to Contact” method.

The option of a D3 athlete’s opportunity to utilize a “self-release” will remain permissible if they are interested in contacting coaches at another D3 program.

Schedule a confidential Transfer Consultation to talk through your athlete’s unique situation, understand available options, and receive guidance on navigating the transfer process.

Season of Eligibility

A proposal that would have charged Division III athletes with a season of eligibility only if they competed in a contest during the season was defeated.

This means Division III athletes will continue to be charged with one of their four permissible seasons of participation even if their involvement during a season is limited to practicing with the team and they never appear in a game.

This also means that if a D3 athlete wants to have an additional season of eligibility, it will be even more important to manage their season by

  • Stepping away from the team before the season begins or
  • Having a clear understanding of the rules and guidelines for a Medical Hardship Waiver to possibly get a season “over again” if they are injured or become ill during a season.

Schedule an Eligibility Consultation online or reach out at rick@informedathlete.com or 913-766-1235 for guidance on how your athlete’s season of eligibility will be counted.

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NCAA DII Convention Actions

Seasons of Eligibility

A proposal to allow Division II athletes five seasons of eligibility was referred to the Division II Executive Board for further review following a 186–117 vote.

The Board is expected to examine the issue and potentially advance legislation for the 2028 NCAA Convention.

For questions about seasons of eligibility in your athlete’s sport, schedule a confidential Eligibility Consultation online or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

Baseball and Softball Game Limits

In D2 baseball and softball, proposals to increase the number of permissible games were defeated.

  • The baseball proposal would have increased the permissible number of games from 50 to 52.
  • The softball proposal would have allowed up to 56 games in the spring, along with four additional games or scrimmages in the fall, replacing the current limit of 56 total games.
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Three NCAA Convention Proposals That Could Impact Your Athlete

NCAA Division II Seasons of Competition

Division II member institutions will vote on a proposal that would allow five seasons of competition within an athlete’s first 10 semesters of full-time enrollment.

Important implication:
If approved, this change will significantly reduce the availability of hardship waivers.

For example, an athlete who is injured and unable to compete during a season would likely not receive a hardship waiver, but instead would rely on having four other seasons available.

If you have questions about hardship waivers or appeals and how this could impact your student-athlete, schedule a confidential Waivers and Appeals Consultation online. 

 

NCAA Division III Potential Mandatory Use of the Transfer Portal

Division III institutions will vote on whether to require all DIII schools to use the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Currently, the Transfer Portal use is optional in Division III, which has caused confusion for student-athletes and coaches.

If approved, this requirement would take effect in August 2026.

Until then:

  • DIII student-athletes must continue to follow their institution’s current transfer process, and
  • Student-athletes may still use a self-release to contact coaches at other DIII programs.

If you have questions and would like guidance on navigating a Division III transfer, schedule a confidential Transfer Consultation online. 

 

NCAA Division III Redshirt Proposal

Another proposal being considered at the NCAA Convention would allow Division III student-athletes to be charged a season of eligibility only if they compete during that season.

If approved, a DIII athlete could:

  • Redshirt during one season, and
  • Still retain four additional seasons of competition.

This would replace the current rule that requires an athlete to leave the team before the season begins in order to preserve redshirt and eligibility.

For questions about eligibility or how proposed rule changes may impact your athlete, schedule a confidential Eligibility Consultation online, email rick@informedathlete.com, or call 913-766-1235.

 

 

 

 

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NCAA DI Football Transfer Portal Dates

The NCAA Division I Football Transfer Portal (FBS and FCS) will be open for two weeks: January 2–16, 2026.


Division II and Division III student-athletes do not have specific windows during which they must enter the Transfer Portal.


If you have questions about:

  • Exceptions to the Division I Transfer Portal windows (such as a coaching change or postgraduate transfer),
  • How to properly enter the Transfer Portal, or
  • Academic requirements needed to be immediately eligible at your next institution

We can answer your questions and help guide your student-athlete through the process.  Schedule a confidential Transfer Consultation online, or call our office at 913-766-1235.

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NCAA DII Eligibility Proposal

NCAA Division II members will be voting at the annual NCAA Convention in January on the possibility of permitting D2 athletes to have five seasons of competition during an athlete’s first 10 semesters or 15 quarters of full-time enrollment.

Currently enrolled Division II athletes MAY be able to have a 5th season of eligibility if they did not use their 4th season of competition by the end of the 2024-25 academic year.

For questions about whether your athlete can have a 5th season of competition under this proposed Division II rule, or for any other eligibility questions, schedule a confidential Eligibility Consultation online, call our office at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

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Don’t Let Your High School Athlete Fall Through the Cracks

Each year, we are contacted by the parents of freshman athletes who arrive on their campus only to be told that they don’t have enough of the NCAA-required 16 core courses on their HS transcript to compete as a freshman.

Unfortunately, this situation is more common than you think.  Problems meeting the eligibility standards can set back and even derail a student-athlete’s entire athletic career.

We can prevent that from happening.

Understanding the academic requirements and confirming that your athlete has satisfied the NCAA-required core courses ahead of time can save a lot of heartache and money.

With a confidential Eligibility Issues Consult, we will answer your questions and explain in detail the academic requirements that a HS athlete must satisfy to be NCAA-eligible.

We can also provide a confidential detailed Freshman Transcript Review in which we will discuss your athlete’s personal situation, answer any questions you have and:

– Compare the courses completed with the courses approved by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

– Determine whether your projected core course GPA will satisfy NCAA “Qualifier” requirements.

– Provide a written assessment of the subjects that need to be completed to satisfy initial eligibility requirements.

– Suggest steps and discuss a plan of action that may be available to satisfy eligibility requirements.

Schedule your confidential Freshman Transcript Review online or call us at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com if you have questions about this process.

If your athlete has already started college and needs a Waiver to become eligible for next Spring, you can learn more and sign up for a confidential Waivers and Appeals consultation.

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Junior College Misinformation Regarding NCAA Eligibility

We’ve had several calls from current and past clients about incorrect information being shared regarding junior college and NCAA playing eligibility rules.

We’ve also heard reports of travel ball organizations as well as athletic recruiting websites that are spreading the word that an athlete can compete for two years at the junior college level and then still have four years to play for an NCAA team. 

At this time, this is NOT true.

The NCAA’s “blanket waiver” that was issued last December following the judge’s ruling in the Diego Pavia lawsuit ONLY applied to eligibility at the Division I level for this current 2025-26 academic year AND only for athletes who otherwise would have used their final season of eligibility during the 2024-25 year.

If you have questions about seasons of eligibility for your athlete, you can schedule a confidential Eligibility Consultation online, or you can contact us directly at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

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