'The big thing they're trying to stop is these miracle qualifiers who re-take six core classes their senior year,' Arkansas director of compliance Will Landreth said. According to the association, the new rules will likely affect eight percent of men's basketball players, five percent of football players and two percent of athletes overall. The NCAA says its goal is to make sure athletes are more prepared in the classroom when it comes time to compete.
High school students still need to have at least a 2.0 GPA and complete 16 core classes to participate in Division I sports, but now, they'll need to have a 2.3 GPA and 10 of their core courses locked in by the start of their senior year to play in their first year without redshirting.
Athletes who don't meet certain entry requirements are required to sit out a year of competition, though they are still permitted to practice. In 2012, the NCAA enacted a so-called 'academic redshirt ,' starting with this upcoming recruiting class. It's hard enough for college athletes to play as true freshmen, but starting in 2016, some will not even have the option.
