The NCAA adopted a new rule today that allows college players to play five seasons of their sport, whether they redshirt or not. This is for all college sports and not just basketball and football. There will be no players that are grandfathered in, and it only impacts the players who are either currently in college or will be in the future.
This obviously affects all the current athletes at Wisconsin in one way or another, but the seven that immediately came to mind were the following. Other important Badgers may have slipped through this list, but here are seven that jump out.
Nolan Winter - 2 years left - Men's Basketball
Winter was headed into his senior season after playing 104 total college basketball games. He now will have an extra season tacked on, as he never used a redshirt. This is huge for Wisconsin and Greg Gard. While Winter still could leave for the NBA draft, he no longer HAS TO.
Eian Elmer - 2 years left - Men's Basketball
Elmer also came into Wisconsin as a transfer, looking to finish out his college career at a high-major. He played 99 games as a Miami (OH) Redhawk and was hoping to finish his career on a high note, but now he has two seasons to be a Badger if he wants it.
Charlie Fuerbringer - 3 years left - Volleyball
Fuerbringer, similar to Winter, came in as a true freshman star, immediately making an impact. She's heading into her junior year, and yet now she has this coming season and two more after it. That's wild to think about and could be an essential piece to this young roster for a whole extra season.
Abu Sama III - 2 years left - Football
A recurring theme in this list is players who transferred into Wisconsin ready to play out their final season. However, now they will get another year; Sama is part of this list. He's an electric running back from Iowa State and wanted to lift his draft profile; now he will be able to be an impact player for Fickell for two more seasons.
Jaylon Domingeaux - 2 years left - Football
Domingeaux had a little bit of pressure going into this year, transferring from a smaller football school to Wisconsin. He has to make an immediate splash to find a professional opportunity after this season. Now, he doesn't have that stress; he can settle into the offense and prepare to be a star for this year and next.
Ava McNaughton - 2 years left - Women's Hockey
Wisconsin's star goalie is incredible, and she will have a chance to play two more seasons if she wants it. While the Badgers were already one of the favorites to win another championship this season, with McNaughton back (if she chooses) for her super senior year, that would put Wisconsin in the driver's seat again.
Joe Palodichuk -2 years left - Men's hockey
On the men's hockey side, this affects Palodichuk the most, a team captain heading into next season, his senior season. He can now stick around another year if he so chooses.
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