The confluence of the transfer portal, NIL and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has college football in a very strange place. Because of COVID-19, the NCAA has granted some players additional college seasons, allowing a number of notable players—especially quarterbacks—to continue their college careers well into their 20s.
That has been a boon for players like Michael Penix Jr., who went from an injury-plagued four-year career at Indiana to thriving at Washington over the last two seasons. On Monday, he’ll lead the Huskies in the national championship game.
Not everyone is a fan of the new normal in the sport. J.J. Watt—who played one year at Central Michigan at tight end before transferring to Wisconsin and breaking out as a star defensive end—is among the latest notable figures to bemoan the influx of professional-aged players dominating the college game.
“Has college football become a place where you can just play as many years as you want?” Watt asked on social media. “What happened to 5 years to play 4 seasons? There are young players coming up that are missing out on opportunities because we’ve got 7th and 8th year seniors…”
Has college football become a place where you can just play as many years as you want?
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 6, 2024
What happened to 5 years to play 4 seasons?
There are young players coming up that are missing out on opportunities because we’ve got 7th and 8th year seniors…
Watt’s post follows news of a few current college quarterbacks seeking to extend their careers.
On Friday, the NCAA granted Oklahoma State’s Alan Bowman a seventh season. Bowman—who began his career at Texas Tech and played at Michigan for two seasons—threw for 3,460 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions for the Cowboys in 2023.
Patrick Breen/The Republic/USA TODAY Network
Taulia Tagovailoa, the younger brother of Miami Dolphins and former Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa, will also attempt to extend his college career. He began his career with the Crimson Tide before becoming the Big Ten’s all-time leading passer at Maryland, and will seek a waiver to transfer and play at a third school. There is no guarantee, however, that the NCAA will grant him one.
Most teams aim to play one quarterback if possible, so the influx of sixth and seventh-year players has created something of a logjam at the position across college football. Watt is certainly not alone in having this opinion.
