Five-Year Rule Changes College Football | Illinois Fighting Illini Football News

NCAA just axed the extra-year loophole, giving athletes five years total to play — no redshirts, no medical exceptions. Coaches like Illinois’ Bret Bielema are already eyeing players like cornerback Miles Clarke, hoping to keep him for his fifth year. Clarke’s been lighting up the field with elite pass deflection stats, but NFL scouts are already watching — making a pro leap after 2026 more likely than sticking around for 2027. It’s a clean rule change with a twist: more time to play, but maybe less time to stay in college. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5dd5e24decde8807