The '5-in-5' rule is already being put to the test, this time by a group of former Orange standouts, including Joey Spallina.
Buckle up, everyone: A group of former Syracuse lacrosse standouts is challenging the new NCAA's "Age-based eligibility model." This means they are trying to come back to school and play one additional year for the Orange in 2027.
The group includes Joey Spallina, Billy Dwan, Luke Rhoa, Michael Leo, and Finn Thomson. They are part of a lawsuit against the NCAA in this regard.
While complicated, here's the essentials of what you need to know:
What is the age-based eligibility model?
Sometimes called the '5-in-5' rule, this rule gives a player five years to play five seasons in their sport, from the time they enroll in college, or after their 19th birthday, whatever comes first.
For instance, an athlete who goes the traditional US path from high school to college, would get five years to play five seasons.
Should a player sit out, get injured, or redshirt, they are not given an extra year. They will just have four more years of eligibility remaining.
However, if a player enters college after the age of 19, like many Division I hockey players do, they will actively be using up college eligibility before arriving on campus. A player who gets injured in this case, will also reduce their eligibility as there is no medical redshirt available.
When does this take affect?
It takes affect now, and players entering college this academic year are now subjected to these rules. Players who were previously in college and are returning to school this year are being phased in and will get the benefit of the new rule, as long as it helps them.
Syracuse Orange midfielder Payton Anderson (88) celebrates with Orange midfielder Michael Leo (7) after scoring a goal against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half in a semifinal of the NCAA Mens Lacrosse Championship at Scott Stadium. Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesWhat about the Syracuse lacrosse players?
These five players helped Syracuse advance to the national semifinals for the second straight year in 2026, where they were beaten by Notre Dame.
All five are challenging this rule, saying that they want another year, as players who are currently coming back to school are getting.
Coming back to school would allow them to chase another national championship and would allow them further NIL opportunities, which may outweigh what they could get in the professional world.
All five would be major additions back to the program. Spallina was a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award, an All-American, and he is the program's all-time leading scorer.
What questions are there?
Well, outside of: Will they win?
1) What about the current Syracuse roster? Well, the suit says these players coming back would not impact the current Syracuse roster, and that these roster spots are available. However, that seems somewhat debatable, as players may have chosen to attend Syracuse based on the roster spots being open and the opportunity that comes with it.
2) What happens to the pro careers that some of these players have already started? Spallina, Leo, Rhoa, and Dwan were selected in the Premiere Lacrosse League Draft. As noted by Sticks in Lacrosse they'd likely have to give up their professional contracts, and who knows how that would impact their pro careers moving forward.
And for now?
Who knows how long this will take to wind its through the court system, but with the academic year beginning in three weeks or so, Syracuse will undoubtedly want a resolution quickly.
There are other similar lawsuits around the country.
