Kansas State Begins Transitioning To Updating Athlete Classifications

The NCAA announced in June a change in the eligibility rules that could allow athletes to play for five seasons. 

So the Kansas State Wildcats are already making the necessary adjustments. The NCAA passed its "Five-For-Five" eligibility rule, meaning athletes can possibly have five years to play. It is possible if the athlete turns 19 after Sept. 1. 

The change has caused the Wildcats to make the adjustment to the way they identify players, starting with football. No longer are players referred to freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors. Instead, it is first-year player, second-year player, third-year player, fourth-year player and fifth-year player. Also, the term redshirt freshman no longer exists. 

All changes have been updated on the K-State athletics website. Among the players who could be impacted by the rule is quarterback Avery Johnson, who addressed the issue earlier this summer. 

THREE PLAYERS MAKE 'WATCH' LISTS 

They were three of the Kansas State Wildcats chosen to represent the school at Big 12 Media Days last month in Frisco, Texas, so naturally Joe Jackson, Johnson and John Pastore are getting some preseason love. 

All three made the cut for the national award "Watch" list at their respective positions. A senior quarterback, Johnson and Jackson (running back) were both on the Maxwell Award list. The honor is given annually to the nation's most outstanding player. Pastore was on the Outland Trophy list, which is reserved for the best offensive lineman in the country. 

EX-WILDCATS BASKETBALL PLAYER HAS NEW HOME 

Former Wildcats guard CJ Jones was recently granted a fifth year of eligibility. 

On late Saturday night, he announced what he planned to do with it. Jones plans to continue his playing career at Pacific. Jones averaged 4.7 points in 64 games over two seasons for the Wildcats. He joins a Pacific team that finished 9-24 last year in the West Coast conference. This is Jones' third stop after beginning his collegiate career at University of Illinois-Chicago. 

MORE K-STATE NEWS 

Could this K-State freshman be a player to watch this season? 

A wide open Big 12 may make things more manageable for Kansas State

Kansas State chasing 2028 offensive lineman recruit 

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]