The NCAA has granted a waiver for college athletes, who previously played at JUCO programs to extend their college career, and Alabama linebacker, Justin Jefferson could benefit from the ruling.
Jefferson played two seasons at Pearl River Community College before signing with the Crimson Tide during the 2022 recruiting cycle.
The path for this waiver was cleared when Vanderbilt quarterback, Diego Pavia, was granted more eligibility after suing the NCAA. The NCAA board voted to appeal the ruling of the Pavia case while granting the waiver.
“The NCAA Division I Board of Directors granted a waiver to permit student-athletes who attended and competed at a non-NCAA school for one or more years to remain eligible and compete in 2025-26 if those student-athletes would have otherwise used their final season of competition during the 2024-25 academic year, and meet all other eligibility requirements (e.g., progress toward degree, five-year period of eligibility),” the statement said.
Jefferson had 52 total tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble as an Alabama linebacker this season.
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Justin Smith is the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
