NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule forces some women athletes to lose scholarship offers

The NCAA introduced a five-for-5 eligibility policy in late June, granting athletes five years of competition from enrollment or their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. While the change simplifies eligibility, it has created roster pressures, especially for women's programs where athletes often commit early. Coaches, needing space for potential fifth-year seniors, have withdrawn scholarship offers from several committed high-school players, including Isabell Gonzalez (softball, University of Memphis) and Rylee Struyk (soccer, Texas A&M). Both athletes announced the reversals on X. Veteran recruiter Don Williams explains the adjustment will likely benefit mid-major schools as talent trickles down, though it will be painful for those directly affected this year.