Washington Huskies Impacted by New 5-in-5 NCAA Eligibility Rule

The Washington Huskies will be impacted by the new 5-in-5 NCAA eligibility rule, which allows players five years to play five years of competition.

What is the 5-in-5 rule?

The rule, passed unanimously by the NCAA, starts the clock when an athlete enrolls in college or turns 19, whichever comes first, with exceptions for pregnancy, military service, and religious missions.

The Washington Huskies' edge rusher Zach Durfee's clock would have started in 2020, and he would have been eligible to play in 2023 after one year at North Dakota State and two seasons at NAIA Sioux Falls.

How does the rule affect current players?

Linebacker Jacob Manu could have played every game for the Huskies last season and still would have been eligible to return this year under the new rule.

But players like Manu, who are entering their fifth year of college in 2026, do not get any additional eligibility from the new rule.

Which players benefit from the rule?

Center Landen Hatchett, who has started 15 games over the last two seasons, could benefit from the new rule, as he enters the season with undrafted free agent feedback from the NFL.

Hatchett will return as the Huskies' starting center in 2026, and Washington would likely welcome him back as a veteran leader on an offensive line whose oldest returning starter would otherwise be junior-to-be John Mills.

Running back Jayden Limar also has a strong case, considering he wasn't even graded by the NFL's spring service, and could increase his chances of playing for the Huskies in 2027.

The Huskies' next game is against the Washington State Cougars on 2026-09-06.

And with the new rule in place, players like Hatchett and Limar will have more opportunities to contribute to the team.

But the rule also means that players who exhausted their eligibility in the 2025-26 academic year, like senior defensive lineman Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei, do not get any additional eligibility.

So the Huskies will have to rely on their current roster to make a push in the upcoming season.

The new rule will likely have a significant impact on the team's strategy and player development.