Could departing seniors be included in the proposed 5-for-5 eligibility rule?
If you’re convinced we’ve already seen the last of Otega Oweh in a Kentucky jersey, there might still be a slight twist ahead.
While a return doesn’t seem especially likely, it remains within the realm of possibility due to the NCAA’s proposed fifth-year eligibility rule. The idea would grant athletes five years of eligibility starting from either their 19th birthday or high school graduation whichever comes first while removing redshirts and waiver options.
On the surface, it sounds straightforward, but given the NCAA’s track record, complications feel inevitable. One major question, as noted by Ross Dellinger, is whether current players will be grandfathered into the new system.
This is particularly significant for athletes who have just finished or are in the process of finishing their fourth season without using a redshirt and still fall within the proposed five-year window. According to Dellinger, those players could theoretically qualify for a fifth season if the rule is officially approved though that decision might not come until summer, if it happens at all.
That scenario directly applies to Oweh, who has completed four full seasons. If the proposal passes and includes a grandfather clause, he could be eligible for one more year potentially giving Kentucky a major boost. A fifth season from him would raise the team’s baseline heading into next year.
There are already similar situations unfolding. Denzel Aberdeen, once expected to head to the NBA, has instead committed to Florida and could take advantage of a fifth college season.
Dellinger also highlighted the growing influence of NIL, noting that some players may earn more by staying in college than turning pro something that could factor into Oweh’s decision as well.
For now, everything remains uncertain. The proposal could reshape college sports if approved, and Kentucky might stand to gain. But until there’s clarity, the program has to operate under the assumption that Oweh won’t return. If that changes later, though, finding the resources to bring him back likely wouldn’t be an issue.
