10/06/2026
***Important College Recruiting Changes***
REMEMBER THE SENATE LEGISLATION IS NOT LAW YET
🏀 SIX THINGS TEAM BBA FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW
1. Five-Year Eligibility Clock
College athletes would have a maximum five-calendar-year eligibility window. The clock begins based on whichever qualifying event occurs first—including the athlete's 19th birthday, actual high-school graduation, expected high-school graduation based on the first year of high-school enrollment, or full-time college enrollment.
2. Reclassification Could Have Consequences
This is especially important for athletes who are intentionally held back or reclass multiple times. Simply delaying high-school graduation would not necessarily delay the college eligibility clock, because the legislation considers the athlete's expected graduation date based upon when the athlete originally entered high school.
3. NIL Rights Become Federally Protected
College athletes would have a federal right to earn legitimate Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) compensation rather than operating under different rules from state to state.
4. Transfer Rules Become More Restrictive
Athletes would generally receive one transfer with immediate eligibility. A second transfer would normally require sitting out one year unless the athlete qualifies for an exception.
5. Scholarships Receive Greater Protection
Schools would face restrictions on taking scholarships away because of athletic performance or injury, and athletes would receive additional protections allowing them to complete their degrees.
6. Agents Become More Regulated
Agents representing college athletes would face federal requirements, including an agent-fee cap of 5%, providing families additional protection when negotiating NIL and representation agreements.
