Do JUCO players have extra years to play?

Junior college logo

 By Zoe Session, February 11th 2025

What is JUCO? 

Junior college aslo known as”JUCO “ are two-year colleges that offer both classes and sports programs. These schools, often mistaken for community colleges, make higher education easier to achieve  in terms of cost and location. Students that attend JUCO can graduate with an associate’s degree or learn job skills. Many people choose to attend JUCO to later transfer to a four-year university for a bachelor’s degree or to improve their athletic abilities. For athletes, JUCOs can help them maintain their eligibility for college sports since they have different rules compared to the NCAA. Some JUCOs even have several campuses to make it easier for students to attend.

What is the new JUCO rule?                    

The NCAA recently introduced a new rule following a lawsuit from Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. Pavia claimed that the time he spent playing in junior college before getting a Division 1 offer shouldn't count against his eligibility. To tackle this issue and possibly prevent more legal disputes, the NCAA decided to give an extra year of eligibility for the 2025-26 season to student-athletes who had previously played at non-NCAA schools, like junior colleges, and would have run out of eligibility after the 2024-25 season. This move is intended to help JUCO athletes enhance their skills and compete at higher levels while also allowing them more time to finish their studies.

Why is there a new rule? 

The new rules for junior colleges (JUCO) have been updated to match changes made by the NCAA, which are designed to help junior college athletes when they move up to Division I schools. Before, JUCO athletes would sometimes lose years of eligibility in the NCAA because of their time in junior colleges, making it harder for them compared to high school players. Now, with the new rule, these athletes can keep all their eligibility when they transfer, allowing them to have the same chances as new freshmen while also using the skills and experience they gained in college. Moreover, this regulation standardizes the requirements for transferring credits and extends the eligibility period, giving athletes more leeway to manage their studies alongside sports. This change is part of a larger movement towards a more inclusive and athlete-focused system, enabling JUCO players to grow both athletically and academically without facing penalties, while also reshaping the recruiting landscape for coaches and high school athletes.

So how do you feel about the new JUCO rule? Is it necessary?