In recent months, the NCAA has been toying with the idea of giving all student-athletes a fifth year of eligibility.

As the rules currently stand, players get five years to complete four years of eligibility in their chosen sport. However, redshirts, waivers and medical redshirts have really clouded the rules in recent years. Add in numerous lawsuits, and we’ve seen some instances of players getting sixth and seventh years of eligibility.

On Tuesday, Clemson athletic director Graham Neff provided an update on where talks currently stand, noting that while nothing is imminent, discussions are still ongoing.

“Charlie Baker, his remarks from the NCAA to the ACC were good and thorough,” Neff told The Clemson Insider during the ACC’s Spring Meetings at the Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island. “He talked about that and kind of deferred. Not sure yet. I think some of the lawsuits that are out there, and the House case settlement, I know that is on the docket from the NCAA standpoint.”

This is a rule change that former Clemson basketball star Ian Schieffelin was hoping might come about sooner. That way, he could have returned to the hardwood for one more season. With it looking like we are still at least a year away from anything being implemented, Schieffelin instead chose to join the Tigers’ football team as a tight end.

At the same time, Neff believes the rules change is still a distinct possibility, and if it were to be implemented ahead of the 2026 season, it would be interesting to see how many players who are currently seniors take advantage of having that extra year.

“I don’t have a great sense, or think it is quite formed yet, as far as timing, or the viability of that,” Neff added. “But I know it is something that is going to come for consideration.”