Allow Early Enrollees to Play in Bowl Games: A Win-Win for College Football

Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, the top recruit of the 2025 class, has already begun practicing with the Wolverines just weeks after graduating high school. As talented as Underwood is, NCAA rules prevent him and other mid-year enrollees from participating in postseason games, even though they can practice and stand on the sidelines. It’s time for this outdated rule to change.

Why Change the Rule?

College football has evolved significantly with transfer portal windows and new redshirt rules. Postseason games no longer count toward eligibility, yet mid-year enrollees remain sidelined during bowl games. Allowing these players to participate would align with the sport’s modern structure and offer numerous benefits.

Addressing Roster Challenges

The transfer portal and NFL draft opt-outs have left teams scrambling to fill rosters during bowl season. Over 1,900 players entered the transfer portal in December 2023, impacting both bowl and college football playoff teams. Michigan, for instance, faces the ReliaQuest Bowl without nine key players, including top running backs and defensive stars.

Mid-year enrollees could alleviate this roster crunch, providing depth and ensuring competitive matchups. These games would also offer valuable, low-stakes experience for players transitioning from high school to college, accelerating their development.

Boosting Bowl Game Appeal

With top NFL prospects frequently skipping bowl games, fan interest has waned. Introducing mid-year enrollees would create buzz and offer a glimpse into college football’s future. Players like Underwood could attract viewership, making bowl games more exciting and relevant.

A Logical Next Step

Since postseason games don’t impact eligibility, there’s no downside to letting mid-year enrollees play. Coaches could decide how to use these players, ensuring they’re not overwhelmed.

Allowing early enrollees in bowl games is a simple, impactful change that benefits players, coaches, and fans while revitalizing the excitement of college football’s postseason.

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