Is the extra year of eligibility (due to Covid 19) still being offered?

[We_are_Bama]

I know that it definitely impacted 2020 and 2021, and maybe some carryover into 2022, but is that done yet? The best I can remember, it was offered to anyone who opted out of the 2020 football season. Then later it was amended to include even those who played in 2020. I suppose that meant regardless of class. So, anyone who (at the time), had been at their school as far back as 2017 could qualify. Has everyone who took the "free year" cycled through yet, or are there still a few more years to go on that? Personally, I hope that has finished because somewhere, at some point, it has to affect overall scholarship numbers. Football is a different animal, so it was obviously handled differently , but for spring athletes, everyone was given an extra year of eligibility. The seniors who returned for the extra year, AND remained at the same school, were allowed to remain on scholarship for one year and their scholarships were not counted toward any scholarship limits the following year.

 

[BamaMoon]

I'm not sure, but my guess is if someone wants too they could. However, that doesn't necessarily mean Bama has to give them that year, but they would have that year of eligibility if another program has a spot for them.

I think on the basketball side JQ is doing this and he's entering his 6th year of play.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

I would think you only get a covid year if you were in college in 2020 or headed to college in 2020

 

[crimsonaudio]

I would think you only get a covid year if you were in college in 2020 or headed to college in 2020

This is the answer. Any current player that was on a roster during the 2020 season had an extra year of eligibility granted.

 

[Windsortide]

Any player who was eligible in 2020-2021 can claim a Covid season. The class of 2024 should be the last one to use the Covid year because they were freshman when they were impacted.

 

[BamaHoHo]

Any player who was eligible in 2020-2021 can claim a Covid season. The class of 2024 should be the last one to use the Covid year because they were freshman when they were impacted.

2019-2020 and 2024 should be last unless they have used a redshirt year.

 

[Krymsonman]

Of course now, if you spent any time in JC, you can also get an extra year.

 

[Power Eye]

2019-2020 and 2024 should be last unless they have used a redshirt year.

I believe this is correct. It is conceivable that someone could play in 2025 that was on the team in 2020 by using a Covid year, redshirting, and then having 4 years of eligibility. Pretty sure we don’t have anyone like that, but I’m sure they exist on other teams.

 

[CrimsonCleanse]

Outside a very small smattering of players who came in during the 2020 season and redshirted, that should just about be everybody who has exercised that free year. Let's hope so. Those "free years" have dragged on long enough

 

[colbysullivan]

This thread exists based on the assumption that eligibility is still finite lol

 

[CB4]

This thread exists based on the assumption that eligibility is still finite lol

This. Given the Pavia injunction and then NCAA automatically defaulting to giving a blanket waiver for 2025 for all in a similar situation, the definition of eligibility is a moving target now.

 

[cbi1972]

This. Given the Pavia injunction and then NCAA automatically defaulting to giving a blanket waiver for 2025 for all in a similar situation, the definition of eligibility is a moving target now.

 

[CrimsonCleanse]

Lifetime eligiblity. YOU get eligibility and YOU get eligibility and YOU get eligibility!! Man....why couldn't this have happened around 2012