Should there be an age limit in college football

[Bamabybirth70]

The topic of age has come up when talking about Indiana football and if that plays a role in their dominance. The average age of college starters has gone up due to the Covid years, but that should stop after this or next season.
A 23-24 old is going to have a significant advantage over an 18 year old, at least that is the argument I am hearing. Certainly an older, more experienced and physically developed team has an advantage . The question is, should there be an age limit? Pavia is trying to get another year, which means his agent told him 6-7th round at best in the upcoming draft if at all. Personally the limit should be 5 years and only under certain situations. This would make the cut off age around 23.

Thoughts?

 

[Transplanted]

I always thought it was totally ridiculous 27 year old Chris Weinke got to play at FSU.

Yes. I am for an age limit for sports. 24 with a specific calendar cutoff

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Ive always thought there needs to be an age limit. There have been years where 25-26 year olds have been playing college football. Theres a huge difference in just a 19/20 yr old and a 23 year old. Much less a 25 year old. The mental and emotional advantage (not even counting the physical advantage) is huge. 23 should be the max age and even that is pushing it.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

The topic of age has come up when talking about Indiana football and if that plays a role in their dominance. The average age of college starters has gone up due to the Covid years, but that should stop after this or next season.
A 23-24 old is going to have a significant advantage over an 18 year old, at least that is the argument I am hearing. Certainly an older, more experienced and physically developed team has an advantage . The question is, should there be an age limit? Pavia is trying to get another year, which means his agent told him 6-7th round at best in the upcoming draft if at all. Personally the limit should be 5 years and only under certain situations. This would make the cut off age around 23.

Thoughts?

That's still a bit vague...

The five years would start when? (For instance, some kids go into the military out of high school and then start college a bit later.)

 

[Ratal]

I don't think there should be an age limit, but I do think there should be a provision about degree progress.

 

[Elefantman]

I don't see how you can enforce an age limit without a player's union and a CBA.

 

[bamaslammer]

I don't think the age limit will work especially for former military guys but I do believe the day you start your college football career it should end 5 years from that date, no exceptions, no injury stuff, just 5 years. I also think the age limitations for pro ball should be dropped. if they want to go pro let them. they are all essentially pro at this time anyway.

 

[Bamabybirth70]

That's still a bit vague...

The five years would start when? (For instance, some kids go into the military out of high school and then start college a bit later.)

The five years was looking at a player looking fro that 5th year of eligibility. 24 needs to the max age. If you go into the military then you have to consider it costing you you a couple of years of eligibility.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I don't see how you can enforce an age limit without a player's union and a CBA.

Because in theory, the main purpose of college isn't sports. I could see putting a restriction on academics being a problem, but playing sports in college isn't a right but a privilege, especially seeing that they technically still have amateur status. They arent professionals which comes with a different set of workplace protections.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I really think that is the last thing that is wrong with college football. I was a late bloomer. Went into the military and used those funds to pay for college. I was an older guy in the day program but I was a student just like the 18 year olds. Don't think we should be punished for being older in college. If anything, the older dude is going to be a mature leader in the locker room more that a difference maker on the field anyway. Yea, need to fix this NIL and portal situation but just don't see this as a major issue.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Nope. I'm hammering out an NIL deal with Metamucil and Alleve. Now all I have to do is get in shape, develop talent, and be good enough for DeBoer to extend an offer.

Maybe all this defending him on Tidefans will help my case.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Nope. I'm hammering out an NIL deal with Metamucil and Alleve. Now all I have to do is get in shape, develop talent, and be good enough for DeBoer to extend an offer.

Maybe all this defending him on Tidefans will help my case.

Looks like we have 19 spots still so go for it!

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

I don't think there should be an age limit, but I do think there should be a provision about degree progress.

Ah! The APR thing...

What if the kid becomes a professional student going for multiple degrees?

I agree with you though. College Football should be about education as well.

CFB has become nothing more than a farm league for the NFL.

 

[AlistarWills]

I believe there needs to be an age limit. Consideration should be given to anyone who joined the Armed Forces out of HS and comes back to college. Let’s be honest, these guys are not the ones who will get on a team at Bama/UGA/Texas and be the bell cow that leads the team to a national championship. It just doesn’t happen, at least I don’t recall ever seeing it. So I don’t have a problem with these guys serving and then being allowed to play college ball afterwards.
The problem I see is with the age limit putting BYU in a precarious situation with some of their guys going on mission for however long that is. Haven’t they have had older guys on their roster for years because of it?
I absolutely believe there is a major difference in a 17/18 year old and a 23/24 year old in terms of mental and physical maturity. I think it’s why the NFL has the rule in place that they won’t let someone in till they are out of HS for 3 years, regardless if they will admit to it or not.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Another problem with the age limit thing is, what age is too old? Would that be an arbitrary number or do you give a guy 7-8 years after he has graduated high school? What about the guys that go the GED route? Just seems like a non issue to me. So the kid is 30. There might be a couple of positions he could play but for the most part the younger players are going to beat him out. Long live the gritty old players and their metal toughness man. The NFL locked Doug Flutie out of League for years because of his height until dude became a legend in Canada and a team was desperate enough to give him a shot as an old dude. He still made some noise and had is image on Wheaties Cereal boxes nationwide lol.

 

[CrimSonami]

Yes. If one turns 24 prior to Sept-01 they should be excluded. The only exception I'd accept is a medical redshirt that prevents a player from completing half or more of their final season.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Yes. If one turns 24 prior to Sept-01 they should be excluded. The only exception I'd accept is a medical redshirt that prevents a player from completing half or more of their final season.

Funny, half of IOU's roster would be ineligible lol.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

I feel like I still have some eligibility left!

 

[Ratal]

Ah! The APR thing...

What if the kid becomes a professional student going for multiple degrees?

I agree with you though. College Football should be about education as well.

CFB has become nothing more than a farm league for the NFL.

Kind of, my thoughts are more about the school side of college. I haven't placed a lot of thought in how I would fix the issue, but it would be something like this.

1. You must show progress toward a degree, not just taking enough hours to be considered a full time student.
2. Each year you would be expected to hit percentage marks toward a degree that is equivalent to a standard student.
3. A 2nd undergrad degree does not count toward eligibility. You can only maintain eligibility after your undergrad degree if you are attending a graduate program. That program would also have percentage requirements.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

Some how the minimum number of credits pursued per semester should have a requirement to where they have to be on a track to getting a degree also should be figured in along with years of eligibility limit.