​  OXFORD — The NCAA rules are changing again.The NCAA approved an age-based eligibility model on June 23 that eliminates redshirt seasons and gives athletes five years of eligibility instead of four.The rule change is expected to be finalized on June 24. It is a big change to the college sports landscape. It should help to clarify the complex modern-day eligibility litigation battles happening between athletes and the NCAA that involve redshirts and waivers.Under the new proposal, the eligibility clock starts upon initial full-time enrollment in college or at the beginning of the academic year following the athlete’s 19th birthday, whichever occurs first.A previous memo on the proposal reportedly stated that athletes who have played four seasons and exhausted their eligibility under the old rules in 2025-26 will not be given an extra year.Current athletes can choose the new rules or the old rules to govern the remainder of their careers.Here’s what it means for Ole Miss athletics.Star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is one of the players at Ole Miss who is exempt from the rule change.He is enrolled at Ole Miss and preparing to play his sixth season. Chambliss is in that position after being awarded a preliminary injunction against the NCAA in a lawsuit. Chambliss’ case to play is based on a medical redshirt waiver, which will be a moot point for future athletes.Ole Miss baseball first baseman Will Furniss and third baseman Will Furniss are players who won’t get a choice to use the new rules. They have exhausted their eligibility after playing four seasons and not redshirting.The incentive around sitting true freshmen football players has changed.In past football seasons, athletes who played in four games or less in one season could be awarded a redshirt.Five-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham is an example. He played in three games for the Rebels in 2025, which preserved his redshirt.Now the eligibility clock will begin ticking whether freshmen are on the sidelines or in the huddle. Because it’s a five-year clock, everyone effectively gets a redshirt season.Look for freshmen to be used more frequently in 2026. Edge rusher Landon Barnes, receiver Jase Matthews are two of the incoming four-star freshman who could benefit by playing more frequently.Coach Pete Golding and the Rebels don’t need to plan out limited playing time for freshman who have earned in-game snaps.Ole Miss basketball coach Chris Beard said the Rebels are still open to adding players on its 2026-27 roster.The options overseas have been limited.With the new rules starting a player’s eligibility at their 19th birthday, eligibility will end at age 24. It eliminates bringing in 23-year-old freshmen from European teams.Ole Miss can still bring in overseas players, but it’s no longer possible to acquire a player who is both older t      ​Read More