One SEC athletic director has an idea that could change college sports forever

Who says no?

The commissioners of the Pac-12, Big 12 and ACC are considering making freshmen ineligible in NCAA play for the first time since 1972, according to a report that emerged Friday from CBS Sports' Jon Solomon. It's unclear whether the proposed rule change would impact football, but it appears to be designed to combat the one-and-done trend in college basketball.

Mississippi State athletic director Scott Stricklin has a different idea. Instead of removing one year of eligibility for athletes, why not add one?

Instead of making freshmen ineligible to play, I’d rather give every athlete five years of eligibility and do away with redshirting.

— Scott Stricklin (@stricklinMSU) February 18, 2015

Or, all freshmen are ineligible unless they reach certain HS academic standards. And then they get five years of eligibility as a reward.

— Scott Stricklin (@stricklinMSU) February 18, 2015

And really, why not? It's a win-win for programs, athletes and fans alike. The schools get to hold on to their athletes for an extra year. Athletes get one more year to complete their schooling (if they need it), while still being able to participate in games (and those who want to leave early for the NFL still can). Fans get one more year of their favorite players, and a whole lot of records likely get broken.

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