What is the NCAA D2 30% rule?

The NCAA Division II 30% rule (effective Aug 1, 2025) lets first-year student-athletes play in up to 30% of their sport's maximum games/dates without using a season of competition, essentially allowing them to redshirt while playing minimally, often for a medical hardship waiver or just general flexibility, simplifying eligibility and reducing injury pressure. This means freshmen can participate in some contests (e.g., 8 basketball games out of 26) and still preserve their redshirt, a change previously only for football.

What is the new D2 rule?

A student-athlete shall not engage in more than five seasons of intercollegiate competition in any one sport. Any competition (including a scrimmage with outside competition), regardless of time, during a season in an intercollegiate sport shall be counted as a season of competition in that sport.

Is D2 going to 5 years of eligibility?

The NCAA is considering a proposal that would grant Division II athletes a fifth year of eligibility, a rule change that coaches and players say could reshape recruiting, roster management and competitive balance across college sports. The Rule will be voted on at the 2026 NCAA Convention in January.

What is the eligibility rule for D2?

Currently, Division II student-athletes have four seasons to participate in competition in any one sport and must complete their four seasons during their first 10 semesters or 15 quarters of full-time enrollment.

What is the red shirt rule?

Redshirt rules in college sports, especially football, let athletes practice but sit out games for a season to preserve eligibility, typically using four games or less in a season to keep a full year, with recent changes exempting postseason games from this count, and coaches recently proposing a nine-game limit to balance development with expanded seasons. Essentially, it's a strategic way to get an extra year of playing time within the standard five-year eligibility window for a four-season career, allowing for player development and new rules accommodating more games and transfers.
 

How the NCAA Works - Division II

What is the GREY shirt rule?

"Grey shirt" rules in college sports (mainly NCAA football) refer to a strategy where an athlete delays full-time enrollment until the spring semester, delaying their NCAA eligibility clock by not starting their five-year eligibility period in the fall, allowing them to save a year of eligibility while still joining the team later that academic year. This usually happens when a school has over-signed recruits, letting them enroll part-time (fewer than 12 credits) and pay their own way for a semester, often after the fall season ends, before becoming a full-time, scholarship-funded athlete in January, enabling them to practice and get extra development time. 

What are the downsides of redshirting?

Downsides of redshirting (delaying kindergarten) include potential long-term negative academic and social outcomes, increased costs for childcare/preschool, creating boredom or acting out in older, more mature students, exacerbating inequality for low-income families, and delaying entry into the workforce, potentially leading to less lifetime earnings. While early advantages in elementary school are often noted, some research suggests these benefits fade, and younger students can catch up, while redshirted students may face frustration or boredom later. 

Are NCAA athletes allowed to have OnlyFans?

Staffers at all programs told me that based on their reading of their state laws, a college athlete would not automatically be forbidden from operating an OnlyFans account. That doesn't mean that schools are recommending athletes actually do that, of course.

Can you redshirt in D2?

According to NCAA rules, student-athletes in D1 and D2 schools have five full school years (10 semesters/15 quarters) to complete four years of college sports. This enables student-athletes to “redshirt” any one of their four years in college.

What is the 40-60-80 rule?

The 40/60/80 Rule is an NCAA standard for Division I student-athlete academic eligibility, requiring them to complete specific percentages of their degree by set times: 40% of degree requirements by the start of their third year (end of sophomore year), 60% by the start of their fourth year (end of junior year), and 80% by the start of their fifth year (end of senior year) to remain eligible for competition. This rule ensures athletes make steady academic progress toward graduation, preventing last-minute rushes to finish coursework. 

What college player has 9 years of eligibility?

The college player granted a ninth year of eligibility is Miami Hurricanes tight end Cam McCormick, making him the first in major college football history after suffering multiple season-ending injuries at Oregon (2016-2023) and Miami (2023-2024), with his unique case approved due to extensive medical issues that prevented him from playing in several seasons, including 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. His waiver was approved by the ACC, allowing him to play his unprecedented ninth season in 2024, a testament to his perseverance and the NCAA's allowance for extraordinary circumstances.
 

How many years of NCAA eligibility do I have for D2?

Seasons of competition proposal

Currently, Division II student-athletes have four seasons to participate in competition in any one sport and must complete their four seasons during their first 10 semesters or 15 quarters of full-time enrollment.

Why is James Nnaji allowed to play?

D-I teams have signed players with EuroLeague experience, as well as G League players who have been compensated to play basketball for multiple years. The "actual and necessary expenses" category is what provides the NCAA with the latitude to give players like Nnaji the opportunity to play college basketball.

How do college athletes get 7 years of eligibility?

The NCAA allows for five years of academic eligibility to compete athletically for four seasons. That extra season of academic eligibility grants student-athletes a redshirt season that they can take, allowing them an additional year before competing in collegiate matches.

Why did Michigan State have to vacate wins?

Michigan State vacated 14 football wins from 2022-2024 due to NCAA recruiting violations, primarily involving former staff under Coach Mel Tucker providing impermissible benefits like airfare and lodging to recruits, leading to ineligible players participating in games. The penalties, resulting from a negotiated settlement with the NCAA, also include three years of probation, a $30,000 fine plus 1.5% of the football budget, recruiting restrictions, and show-cause orders for former staff. 

Do you have to sit out a year if you transfer from D2 to D1?

No, thanks to recent NCAA rule changes (around 2024), you generally don't automatically lose a year when transferring from D2 to D1; you can often be immediately eligible as long as you're academically eligible and enter the portal within the window, removing the old "year in residence" requirement, though specific requirements and potential sport-specific mid-year transfer rules apply. 

Can a D2 school move up to D1?

Conferences inviting Division II and III schools to join Division I must confirm the school meets academic requirements, including being above the 10th percentile of Division I members in the Academic Progress Rate, Graduation Success Rate, or the difference between the federal graduation rates for student-athletes and ...

Can D2 give athletic money?

Very few student-athletes at Division II schools will receive full scholarships, but most will receive partial scholarships or some other form of athletic-based financial aid. Additionally, student-athletes can apply for other scholarships, like merit or academic scholarships or other forms of financial aid.

Can you go to the NFL if you're D2?

There are many D2 and D3-level players who get drafted. So how many D2 and D3 NFL players are there? On average, about 70 former D2 and D3 players compete in each NFL football season. Look below for some D2 and D3 players who made it to the big league.

Is creatine banned for Olympians?

Creatine has never been on theWorld Anti-Doping Agency 's (WADA) list of prohibited substances. International sporting bodies maintain a clear position: creatine is a legal dietary supplement, in the same way as protein powders or vitamins.

What is the NCAA 10-7 rule?

The NCAA 10/7 Rule is a core-course progression requirement for NCAA Division I eligibility, meaning student-athletes must complete 10 of their 16 NCAA-approved core courses by the start of their seventh semester (senior year), with 7 of those 10 coming from English, Math, or Natural/Physical Science, ensuring they're academically prepared for college athletics before senior year begins.
 

What are college athletes not allowed to receive?

Under the settlement, combined compensation to all athletes cannot exceed $20.5 million, and students may not be able to receive compensation from certain donor groups, known as booster clubs or collectives. By participating in the settlement, Huma said California's colleges and universities may be violating state law.

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Can a coach stop you from redshirting?

Coaches and athletic staff typically decide whether a player will redshirt based on team needs and player readiness.

How many games before you can't redshirt?

-- FBS coaches voted unanimously Tuesday to adjust the redshirt rule to allow players to participate in up to nine games while preserving a full year's eligibility in the sport.