Brief
Ohio Gov. DeWine signs order letting 2022 graduates play a fifth collegiate season
The order, signed on Oct. 13, gives Ohio public and private schools the option to let 2022 graduates compete for an additional season despite NCAA restrictions.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, giving the state’s colleges and universities the option to allow athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 to compete for a fifth year, contrary to the NCAA’s new eligibility guidance.
What happened
The order, announced by DeWine’s office, permits both public and private Ohio institutions to extend eligibility for the 2022 cohort, even though the NCAA now excludes athletes who have already completed four seasons of competition. The move was presented as a response to concerns that the NCAA rule unfairly penalises the class of 2022.
What the reports add
The Associated Press article notes that no immediate comment has been received from the NCAA or from any of Ohio’s eight Division I programs, which include Ohio State, Cincinnati and six Mid‑American Conference schools. Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, a former Ohio State coach, emphasized the need to keep opportunities equal for current student‑athletes.
What was said
"When the rules change, fairness has to remain part of the equation," DeWine said in a statement, adding that Ohio wants its athletes to have the same opportunities as peers in other states. Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel said, "It’s important we do not deprive our current student‑athletes of the same opportunities enjoyed by their peers."
How it came about
The order follows a pattern of state actions that challenge NCAA policy, such as California’s law that cleared the way for name, image and likeness compensation. The NCAA eligibility rule is currently being contested in multiple courtrooms nationwide, with plaintiffs arguing it harms the 2022 class financially and limits their ability to profit from NIL deals.
Key facts
- Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order on Oct. 13, 2026. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The order allows Ohio colleges to give 2022 high‑school graduates a fifth year of athletic eligibility. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The NCAA has not yet responded to the Ohio order. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel supported the order, citing fairness for student‑athletes. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The order mirrors earlier state challenges to NCAA rules, such as California’s NIL law. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Ohio governor signs order letting state's colleges allow 2022 athletes a 5th year of eligibility”
