Dan Lanning, head coach of the Oregon Ducks, explained why the latest NCAA redshirt rule change won't immediately change the team's approach ahead of the 2026 season. The new system replaces the old redshirt rule with a “5-for-5” model, which grants student-athletes five years of eligibility instead of four. While other programs have already started preparing to bring back recent graduates under the new guidelines, Lanning believes the Ducks don't have many options that fit the strict criteria for returning athletes.
Under the new rules, athletes must meet several conditions to return. They can't have signed with an NFL team, worked with an agent, or attended an NFL practice. These restrictions make it hard for most teams, including Oregon, to take advantage of the new eligibility system. “There's some pretty stiff requirements when it comes to what those guys look like, and there’s not a lot of guys that fall into that window for us,” Lanning said, explaining the limitations that prevent the Ducks from benefiting this year.
To qualify, student-athletes must have enrolled in college by age 19. This rule gives more players the chance to compete for an additional season, but it doesn’t help programs immediately unless they already have eligible players. Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the Division I Cabinet, called the rule change “decisive action for the benefit of student-athletes,” aiming to simplify roster management and give more young athletes an extra year to play. For now, though, the Ducks are working with the constraints of the current system.
The change also eliminates the requirement for coaches to limit freshmen to four games in their first season. This shift has already impacted planning and strategy for many teams, but Lanning says it won't immediately reshape Oregon's approach. “There's some limitations there,” he said, noting that the Ducks don’t have a large group of players who could take advantage of the expanded eligibility in 2026. For now, the focus remains on the current team and the rules as they apply.
Lanning emphasized that the new rules create opportunities, but those opportunities won’t be accessible to the Ducks this season. “Ultimately, they have to be on your roster,” he said, explaining that the Ducks' specific needs and player availability won’t align with the new system right away. With the transition period already underway, many programs are adjusting their long-term plans. The Ducks, however, are keeping their focus on the present.
The NCAA's updated policies aim to benefit both student-athletes and the broader system of college sports, but not every team can take advantage immediately. Oregon’s limited access to the new opportunities shows how the impact of these changes can vary from one program to another. While the Ducks may not benefit in 2026, Lanning sees the potential for future flexibility as more teams adapt to the evolving landscape.
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