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Utah's Devon Dampier among senior QBs welcoming new 5-for-5 rule - ESPN FRISCO, Texas As schools begin preparing for the NCAA's move toward a five-year, aged-based eligibility model, one of the most prominent groups who'll soon be affected are senior quarterbacks.
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier told ESPN on Wednesday he's hoping to enter the NFL draft after this season, but he's one of several fourth-year starters who'll have a compelling decision to make in December.
Under the new eligibility model, players entering their fourth year in college who haven't utilized a redshirt season will have the option to return for a fifth year in 2027.
I want to go to the league this year, Dampier said during Big 12 media days.
I would say that's my dream and aspirations, but I guess it's a nice safety belt for me to know I do have another year now.
The list of FBS starters who can take advantage of an extra year includes Dampier, Kansas State's Avery Johnson, Iowa State's Jaylen Raynor, Nebraska's Anthony Colandrea, Northwestern's Aidan Chiles, UNLV's Jackson Arnold and Delaware's Nick Minicucci.
Johnson, a 26-game starter for the Wildcats, and first-year coach Collin Klein agreed that's a conversation they're planning to put off until after the season.
All I'm really focused on is this year, Johnson said.
That's what I had been focused on since January, so I don't want to put too much in my brain right now.
We'll see how this year goes and go from there.
Raynor, a three-year starter at Arkansas State who transferred to Iowa State this offseason, said he has put some thought into potentially playing two seasons with the Cyclones.
He's on track to graduate in December and could pursue a Master's degree if he returns for a fifth year, but that's a decision he's not in a hurry to make.
Dampier.