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This usually wouldnt have been much of a decision for Jaxton Eck.
Under previous rules, New Mexicos fourth-year linebacker would have exhausted his eligibility this season and entered his name in next years NFL Draft, one of the few opportunities left for a player of that caliber, in that spot.
Instead, the NCAA gave him another one.
In June, the organization approved a landmark age-based eligibility policy allowing athletes five years to play five seasons, starting with the date of their full-time enrollment or the season after their 19th birthday whichever comes first.
A departure from the previous model granting four seasons of eligibility in five years, the change effectively does away with redshirts and waivers while giving eligible players like Eck another year of eligibility if he wants it.
By all indications, he does.
Eck said last week he plans on using his fifth year of eligibility after this season, quelling any speculation he might take a shot at the NFL after what was once supposed to be his final year in college.
The Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year admitted hes dreamed of playing in the NFL since he was a kid, but remains focused on the season ahead.
Eck added he was glad the NCAA implemented the change when they did well before the season so he could get a feel for his options sooner rather than later.
With it up in the air, its like, well, I kind of would like to take a fifth year, but I dont know for sure, he said last Wednesday at Mountain West Media Days.
Youre kind of unsure if this is your last year or not.
So Im glad that it went through.
I plan on playing a fifth year.
And while it always made sense for Eck to come back for a fifth year, that plan has his fathers support, too.
I dont think Jaxtons going to be a first-round pick, Jason Eck said last Thursday at Mountain West Media Days.
And I really think anybody, if youre not a first-round pick, should use the (extra) year for development.
In that vein, UNMs second-year head coach pointed to the lack of opportunities for players like Eck to develop within the NFL structure.
Extended training camps and developmental leagues like NFL Europe have all gone by the wayside, leaving athletes with college as their best chance to develop before making the jump up.
The senior Eck also mentioned that the current (and perhaps, future) conditions for players of a lower draft slot could help make staying in college more attractive down the line.
All those (team) reps in the (NFL Players Association) are, you know, 10-year NFL vets, 15-year guys, he claimed.
So as they adjust those rules, they make those rules better for the 10- to 15-year vets, you know, not for a seventh-round pick or a free agent whos trying to make the roster.
In general, players want to develop in college and get as good as they can in college before they go, the exception being a first-round pick.
So I expect Jaxton to play another year of college football.
A 6-foot-1, 228-pound linebacker, Eck made 128 total tackles last season with the Lobos en route to Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors.
He previously played three years at Idaho, where he blossomed into one of the Big Skys best defensive players after receiving no FBS interest as a high school recruit.
The idea that Eck could now be receiving NFL interest? Its still a little surreal for him.
Going into college, I honestly wouldnt say that was my focus, he said.
I was just trying to make a name for myself and prove that I wasnt just the coachs kid.
But its cool to get some of that recognition you know, as a kid you dream of getting to play in the NFL.
Its insane.
Im super grateful and blessed for that.
But Im really just focused on this year.
Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal.
You can reach him at [email protected] or via X at @lenaweereider.