DeWine Order Allows Fifth Year of Eligibility for Some Ohio College Athletes
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order allowing the state's colleges and universities to grant a fifth year of eligibility to athletes who graduated from high school in 2022, overriding NCAA rules.
Topeka, KS, October 13, 2026 —
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order allowing colleges and universities in the state to grant a fifth year of eligibility to athletes who graduated from high school in 2022. The order overrides NCAA rules, according to the information provided.
The change applies to the specified group of athletes and gives Ohio institutions permission to grant the additional year. The available information does not detail which sports or athletes may qualify, how schools will determine eligibility, or whether every institution will use the option.
The date DeWine signed the order was not provided. The order’s effective date, the number of athletes who could be affected and any conditions attached to receiving a fifth year were also not specified. No response from the NCAA or from Ohio colleges and universities was included in the information available.
The executive order concerns eligibility at Ohio colleges and universities and conflicts with NCAA rules, as described in the summary. Further details about how the state order will be implemented, or how it may interact with NCAA requirements, were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by EDDIE PELLS and ALANIS THAMES, Associated Press on www.ksnt.com, see more information here.
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