On the heels of the Tuesday, June 23 ruling by the NCAA allowing Division I “student-athletes” five years of eligibility if they enroll in college no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday comes more controversy.
Those who recently graduated will not be “grandfathered in” as a key portion of the NCAA release reads:
The rule change will be effective for all prospects initially enrolling full-time in college in fall 2027 or later.
For students enrolling full-time in college for the first time in fall 2026 and current student-athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year, Division I schools will apply the previous rules (allowing four seasons of competition within five years) or the age-based model, whichever results in the most favorable outcome for each individual.
Filed in Hamilton County District Court, a number of athletes who thought their eligibility was up, are seeking the same benefits of a current incoming recruit. From the suit filed by attorneys Darren Heitner and Ryan Downton obtained by On3 Sports:
What lawsuit could mean for Cincinnati Bearcats fans
Both MJ Collins and Kolby King played for Jerrod Calhoun at Utah State. They are listed in the Hamilton County suit, and specifically, it mentions that both have plans to play for the University of Cincinnati.
Sources close to the UC basketball program don’t deny the possibility, but say there would be several hurdles to clear if it were to happen.
The Bearcats roster currently is at 13 with 12 scholarship players and walk-on Grant Darbyshire. Calhoun’s Utah State team carried 15 players last season, but redshirted five, including current Bearcat David Iweze. From the Aggies, in addition to Iweze, Adlan Elamin and Elijah Perryman came to Cincinnati.
What MJ Collins, Kolby King could bring to Cincinnati Bearcats
Collins has declared for the NBA Draft, which will hold its second round on June 24, but is not a lock according to several outlets. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound guard started all 36 games at Utah State and averaged 17.5 points per game, shooting 45.7% from the field. He made 36.1% of his 3-point shots and 81% of his free throws. Collins had a high game of 40 points last Nov. 23 vs. Davidson, making 8-of-12 from the perimeter. He previously played two seasons at Virginia Tech and one at Vanderbilt before his run with the Aggies.
Kolby King is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound guard who played in all 36 games for Utah State off the bench. He averaged 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds, shooting 47.7% from the field, 39.3% from the 3-point line and 74.7% on free throws. King’s high game was 20 points against Wyoming last Jan. 28, where he sank 4-of-7 trifectas. UC would be King’s fifth team as he has also played at St. John’s, Tulane, Butler, and last year with Calhoun at Utah State.
Other local connections involved in NCAA eligibility suit
Xavier’s Filip Borvicanin and Malik Messina-Moore are also part of the Hamilton County suit, as well as former UC Bearcat Josh Reed, who played this past season at Penn State. Reed averaged 11.5 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Nittany Lions after playing the three previous seasons for Wes Miller at Cincinnati.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Could UC Bearcats’ Jerrod Calhoun be adding 2 former players? Possibly.
Reporting by Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
