College football just got a seismic shift in how players get to stick around, and it means huge things for guys like Purdue offensive lineman Mason Vicari, who officially nabbed an additional season of eligibility. The NCAA announced they are scrapping redshirts and will now allow five seasons of eligibility, provided a player enrolls by the time they hit 19. This massive change is a direct reaction to the influx of European pros into college basketball last season, plus it finally clears up those messy junior college eligibility issues that popped up after Diego Pavia got an extra year via court injunction.
The NCAA Just Rewrote the Rulebook, Seriously
This new eligibility framework is set to kick in for any player enrolling on or after January 1, 2027. But here’s the kicker: anyone who enrolled before next year gets to use whichever set of rules benefits them most. That’s why Vicari is getting an extra year after playing every game as a true freshman at UNLV. It means athletes who played as “true freshmen” under the old system can now get that extra year of eligibility. And for all our junior college studs? They now get three full seasons of eligibility instead of having to cram two years into three seasons. This is a game-changer for roster construction and player development across the board.
Purdue’s Interior O-Line Is Looking Like a Gut Job Done Right
Coming into fall camp, the interior of Purdue’s offensive line is looking way better than the tackle spot, which, to be fair, has more depth than last year. Offensive coordinator Josh Henson and new offensive line coach Zach Crabtree really went to work, bringing in guys they knew and coached at USC. Micah Banuelos, who came over from USC, is definitely in the hunt for a starting gig after making five starts for the Trojans last season, split between left and right guard. Then there’s Makai Saina, another portal pickup from USC. He was a 4-star recruit in high school but got hammered by injuries his previous two seasons. Saina is easily the most versatile lineman on the roster, and it sounds like he could be that crucial utility sixth offensive lineman, ready to jump in at all three positions. That kind of flexibility is gold!
Even with the excitement around the interior, there’s still a big worry on the outside: Tanona’s offseason shoulder surgery. Shoulders can be notoriously tricky, and recovery times are all over the map. We’re all crossing our fingers he’s 100% when fall camp rolls around. But with Vicari getting an extra year and these new, talented transfers, this O-line could really surprise some folks. Keep an eye on these guys as camp ramps up; they’ve got a lot to prove, and some fresh blood ready to make a name for themselves.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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