Legal Challenge to NCAA's Five-Year Rule: What Canadian Athletes Need to Know

In March 2025, Canadian safety and Rutgers transfer Jett Elad filed a lawsuit against the NCAA over its five-year rule, which controls how long student-athletes have to compete. His case brings attention to how this rule affects international players, especially those from Canada, whose paths to the NCAA often involve junior colleges or other non-traditional routes. Understanding how the NCAA clock works is essential for any Canadian athlete pursuing U.S. college sports.

Note this is not an image of Jett Elad just a image of a football player

What Is the NCAA Five-Year Rule?

In NCAA Division I, student-athletes are given five calendar years to complete four seasons of competition. This is commonly referred to as the "five-year clock."

• The clock starts ticking the moment you enroll full-time in any college or university — whether in Canada, the U.S., or elsewhere.

• It continues to run regardless of whether you're actively playing, redshirting, or even taking time off, unless an approved exception applies (such as military service or religious missions).

• You are allowed four seasons of play, but they must all fit within that five-year window.

In contrast, U Sports in Canada offers a simpler system:

• Athletes get five full years of eligibility, without a strict time limit.

• There’s no five-year clock, so long as the athlete maintains eligibility year to year.

Why Is Jett Elad Suing the NCAA?

Jett Elad, a 24-year-old Canadian and former JUCO player, argues that the NCAA unfairly ended his eligibility because his five-year clock had run out—even though he still had unused seasons of competition. His unique path involved multiple transfers and delays common to international students.

His lawsuit raises important questions: Should the same rigid timeline apply to international athletes who face immigration, academic, and transfer complications? Should time spent in junior college or abroad be treated the same as time in the NCAA?

NCAA Five-Year Clock vs. U Sports Eligibility

Let’s break it down clearly:

Rule	NCAA Division I	U Sports (Canada)
Eligibility Period	5 calendar years to play 4 seasons	5 seasons, no strict time limit
Clock Start	First full-time college enrollment	Not applicable
Redshirt Year	1 redshirt allowed, but clock keeps ticking	No formal redshirt system
Pause Options	Only for special exceptions (e.g., military)	N/A
Impact of JUCO/Transfers	Counts against the five-year clock	Varies by school

What This Means for Canadian Athletes

Many Canadian athletes don't follow a straight line from high school to NCAA D1. You may:

• Attend CEGEP or a Canadian college

• Play a year at a junior college (JUCO)

• Take a gap year or need extra time for academics or immigration

But once you enroll full-time at any postsecondary institution, your NCAA Division I five-year clock starts—and it doesn't stop until five years have passed. That means if you're 18 when you start college, your eligibility ends at 23—even if you’ve only played three seasons.

How to Protect Your Eligibility

Here’s what Canadian athletes can do to stay on track:

1. Know when your five-year clock starts– First full-time semester anywhere, not just in the U.S.

2. Plan your academic and athletic path early– Avoid delays, unnecessary redshirt years, or excessive transfers.

3. Track every semester– Keep records of your enrollment status and playing time.

4. Consult the NCAA Eligibility Center– Especially if your journey includes non-traditional elements.

5. Ask about waivers– In rare cases, you may be eligible for extensions or exceptions.

   
   

My Son’s Experience with NCAA Timelines

When my son was being recruited to play NCAA soccer, we were told early on: "The NCAA isn’t just about how many years you play — it’s about when you start." That advice stuck with us.

He went straight from high school into a U.S. program, which made his eligibility path smoother. But many other families we’ve spoken to faced confusion and panic when they found out their five-year clock had quietly started years earlier.

Jett Elad’s case reminded me how easy it is to fall into that trap—especially for Canadians who take a different route.

FAQ

1. What is the NCAA five-year rule?

It gives Division I athletes five calendar years from first full-time enrollment to play four seasons.

2. When does the five-year clock start?

As soon as you enroll full-time in any postsecondary school, even outside the U.S.

3. Do redshirt years pause the five-year clock?

No. You can redshirt a year and keep a season, but the clock keeps running.

4. Can I get a waiver if I run out of time?

Possibly, but waivers are rare and require strong documentation.

5. How is U Sports different from the NCAA?U Sports gives you five years of eligibility without the five-year limit. You can spread them out over a longer time period.

Read more on NCAA Years of Eligibility: Everything Athletes Need to Know

Final Thoughts

The NCAA five-year rule is strict and often unforgiving, particularly for international athletes. Jett Elad’s case could lead to changes, but for now, every Canadian athlete needs to understand when their clock starts and how to use their seasons wisely. If your journey to the NCAA includes twists and turns—as many do—plan ahead, ask questions, and protect your eligibility from day one.