Notre Dame has only one player eligible under NCAA's new five-year rule
The NCAA’s recently adopted five-in-five eligibility rule leaves defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka as the sole Notre Dame athlete who can return for an extra season.
A new NCAA regulation allowing athletes from the 2022 class an extra year of eligibility was finalized over the weekend. Notre Dame’s situation is straightforward: defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka is the only player who qualifies, having played without taking a redshirt and remaining undrafted. Jack Soble identified Tuihalamaka as the lone eligible Irish player.
Reporting from 247Sports suggests the program could add him without major roster disruption, yet the coaching staff must weigh current positional needs. The potential return would provide veteran depth, but no formal commitment has been made. Time will reveal whether the Irish decide to act on this option.
Why it matters
It shows how the NCAA rule change could affect team composition and veteran presence in college football.
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