DeWine Order Allows Fifth Year of Eligibility for Some Ohio College Athletes
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed an executive order enabling state colleges and universities to grant a fifth year of athletic eligibility to athletes who graduated high school in 2022, bypassing NCAA regulations.
Tyler Longview, TX, October 13, 2026 —
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed an executive order enabling state colleges and universities to grant a fifth year of athletic eligibility to athletes who graduated from high school in 2022. The order bypasses NCAA regulations, according to the information provided.
The measure applies to Ohio’s state colleges and universities and to athletes in the specified high school graduating class. The information provided does not identify the schools or sports affected, explain how athletes would qualify, or say whether any institution has granted an additional year of eligibility.
The order’s timing and implementation details were not provided. It is also unclear from the available information how the state’s action will interact with NCAA rules in practice. No response from the NCAA, colleges, athletes or other officials was included.
The stated scope is limited to athletes who graduated high school in 2022. The information provided does not say whether athletes from other graduating classes are covered, or whether the order sets a process or deadline for schools to make eligibility decisions. It also does not specify how many athletes could be affected.
DeWine’s order establishes the state-level authorization described in the summary, but further details about its application remain unavailable. The executive order’s text, the governor’s reasoning and any next steps were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by EDDIE PELLS and ALANIS THAMES, Associated Press on www.ketk.com, see more information here.
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