Though extra eligibility granted during the COVID-shortened 2020 season is slowly trickling away, players are still finding new — and inventive — ways to squeeze an extra year or two out of their collegiate careers. Sixth- and seventh-year seniors aren’t quite as prolific anymore, but there’s still a solid core holding down major roles at the highest level of football.
For instance, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is the poster child for an athlete’s battle against the NCAA for extra playing time. Pavia filed a lawsuit in November 2024 claiming the NCAA’s rule that counts a player’s time in junior college against his overall eligibility violates antitrust laws.
In another blow to the NCAA’s ability to enforce its own rules, Pavia was granted an injunction that allowed him, and other junior college products, to return for at least another year. So super-super seniors are here to stay, for now.
Here’s a look at some sixth-year college football players that could have a big impact on the 2025 college football season.
Beck eschewed the NFL Draft to enter the transfer portal and take his talents to Miami after two years as the starter at Georgia. He has some big shoes to fill stepping in for 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward. Beck did throw for 7,426 yards and 52 touchdowns from 2023-24 while guiding one of the SEC’s premier programs, but he also tied for the conference lead with 12 interceptions last year and saw his completion percentage tick down from 72% in 2023 to 65% in 2024. He’ll have to work…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/carson-beck-diego-pavia-haynes-king-among-sixth-year-seniors-to-watch-in-2025-college-football-season/
Author : Will Backus
Publish date : 2025-03-16 15:07:00
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