The Double-Edged Sword of the NCAA's Extra Year of Eligibility

ATHENS—Kirby Smart was clear about two things. 

1.) He would love for every senior to take the extra year of eligibility being granted by the NCAA for next season.

2.) That this extra year of eligibility brings annoying complications with early-enrollees.

Because of everything this horrid year has thrown our way, the NCAA is granting all seniors an extra year of eligibility if they’d like. If they decide to come back, their return will not count towards the 85 allotted scholarships each school is allowed.

Wonderful! 

But there are always some stipulations. 

“Mid-years (early enrollees) are a different circumstance, so everything doesn’t mesh,” Smart said. “For every senior that elects to stay, we don’t have a mid-year spot... If we have more mid-years that want to come than seniors that want to leave, we have a problem.” 

The frustration was clear in Smart’s voice. For a program that brings in several early enrollees each recruiting class, this is an issue with no real solution. By the time high school recruits are ready to come enroll in early January, seniors may not have made up their minds yet. Hell, by that time, college football will likely still be happening. 

To further complicate this process, Smart thinks interest among recruits to enroll early may be higher than usual.

“What’s different about this year? Kids aren’t in high school,” Smart said. “We’re looking at the possibility of anywhere from 14 to 20 mid-year enrollees. So let’s say we have 20 mid-year enrollees that want to come. Well, we don’t have 20 spots. The seniors won’t count next year, but they’re eating spots right now.”

For a program that loves to bring kids in early, you can understand Kirby’s annoyance with the situation. And, from what he said, it doesn’t look like any clarification is coming anytime soon.