NCAA Roster Caps

The trickle down effect & concerns for athlete mental health

The NCAA is making major changes to scholarship rules and roster limits in Division I athletics, set to take effect in the 2025-26 academic year. These new rules will impact current and future college athletes, especially in recruiting, roster management, and mental health.

If you’re an athlete—whether currently competing or hoping to play at the next level—here’s what you need to know.

Who Will Be Affected?

Division I Schools Only (But Other Levels Will Feel the Impact)

These changes only apply to NCAA Division I programs—the highest level of college athletics. Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college (NJCAA) programs are not directly affected, but they will feel the impact in recruiting.

Power Five & Group of Five Conferences Most Impacted

Schools in Power Five conferences (SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12) and Group of Five conferences (AAC, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt) will experience the biggest changes, as they tend to have larger athletic budgets and more scholarship-funded athletes.

Mid-major Division I programs (like those in the WCC, Missouri Valley, or Horizon League) will also need to adjust, especially in Olympic sports where roster sizes are being capped for the first time.

What’s Changing?

The NCAA is eliminating scholarship caps and introducing fixed roster limits for every sport (NCSA). Previously, each sport had a limited number of scholarships, meaning some athletes received full rides while others had to split partial scholarships.

With the new rules, teams can now offer scholarships to every athlete on the roster—but roster sizes will be strictly limited.

New Roster Limits vs. Scholarship Changes

Roster Limits (Maximum Team Size Allowed)

For the first time, the NCAA is setting fixed roster limits, meaning teams cannot exceed these numbers, even if they previously carried more athletes.

Football (FBS): 105 players (previously no official cap beyond scholarship limits)
Football (FCS): 95 players
Baseball: 34 players (previously no cap, but only 11.7 scholarships available)
Softball: 25 players
Men’s Basketball: 15 players (previously 13)
Women’s Basketball: 15 players (no change)
Men's Soccer: 28 players
Women's Soccer: 28 players
Men's Volleyball: 18 players
Women's Volleyball: 18 players
Olympic sports (e.g., swimming, track & field, gymnastics): Roster limits introduced for the first time—exact numbers vary by sport

Scholarship Changes

No more sport-specific scholarship caps – every athlete on the roster can receive scholarship money if the school chooses.

All sports are now “equivalency sports” – meaning scholarships can be split among multiple athletes instead of being restricted to full rides.

What This Means for Athletes

The new NCAA rules could increase scholarship opportunities, allowing more athletes to receive financial aid. However, with fewer roster spots, competition to make a team will be tougher than ever.

Many programs may eliminate walk-ons, especially in sports with previously large rosters. For athletes, the challenge won’t just be earning a scholarship—it will be securing a place on the team.

How Many Athletes Could Be Affected?

It’s estimated that over 10,000 athletes across all Division I sports could be impacted by these roster reductions. Many of these athletes were originally recruited with the expectation of being part of a program for four years, but now may find themselves without a team.

What Are Their Options?

For athletes who lose their spot, there are a few paths to consider:

Transfer to another Division I school – If spots are available elsewhere, athletes can enter the transfer portal. However, competition for these open spots will be fierce.
Play at the DII, DIII, NAIA, or JUCO level – With DI roster sizes shrinking, lower divisions will likely see an influx of high-level talent.
Stay at their current school as a student – Some athletes may choose to finish their degree without competing, which can be a tough adjustment.
Pursue alternative competitive opportunities – Semi-pro leagues, club teams, and international programs can offer continued competition.

Why Is This Happening?

These changes are happening as part of a broader effort to modernize the NCAA and respond to legal challenges regarding athlete compensation and fairness in scholarship distribution.

The House v. NCAA Lawsuit and Athlete Compensation

The NCAA has faced increasing pressure to provide better financial support for athletes, particularly following the House v. NCAA lawsuit. This case argued that the NCAA unfairly limited the benefits and financial opportunities available to athletes, leading to changes in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and now, scholarship structures (A Sea of Blue).

By removing scholarship caps, the NCAA is attempting to give more athletes financial aid—a step toward addressing concerns about fairness. However, introducing fixed roster sizes ensures that schools can’t simply load up on scholarship athletes beyond reasonable team sizes.

Preventing Over-Recruitment and Protecting Athletes

One issue in college athletics has been over-recruitment—where teams bring in large numbers of athletes, knowing that some may never see playing time. This has led to some athletes feeling misled during the recruiting process.

By enforcing hard roster caps, the NCAA is aiming to ensure that every athlete recruited has a realistic chance of contributing to the team. However, this also means fewer overall roster spots, which will make recruiting more competitive.

The Mental Health Impact on Athletes

These changes will bring a mix of opportunity and challenge for athletes, and it’s important to acknowledge how this could affect mental health.

Increased Pressure & Uncertainty

With fewer roster spots available, athletes may feel more pressure to perform—whether that’s in high school trying to earn a scholarship, or in college fighting to keep their place on the team.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty, you’re not alone. The landscape of college sports is shifting, and many athletes are navigating these same concerns. Talking with coaches, mentors, or sports psychologists can help ease the stress.

Identity and Sense of Belonging

For many athletes, their sport is a huge part of their identity. If roster limits prevent them from continuing at the level they expected, it can feel disorienting and frustrating. But remember—your value is not tied to a roster spot. There are so many ways to stay connected to sports, whether through different divisions, coaching, or even club and semi-pro opportunities.

Navigating the Recruiting Process

With recruiting becoming even more competitive, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But this also presents an opportunity to think more strategically about your college choices.

Cast a wide net. Look at multiple divisions and scholarship opportunities.
Have open conversations with coaches. Transparency is key in understanding where you fit into their plans.
Keep perspective. Whether you play DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, or JUCO, your experience as an athlete is about more than just the level—it’s about the right fit for you.

Most importantly, give yourself grace. This is a big transition in college sports, and it’s okay to feel uncertain. What matters most is staying true to yourself, seeking out support systems, and finding the best path for your athletic and personal growth.

These NCAA changes will reshape the landscape of college athletics, making scholarships more available while also tightening roster limits. The effects on recruiting, walk-ons, Olympic sports, and mental health will be significant, and athletes must adapt to this new reality.

Stay informed, stay prepared, and as always—take care of your mental game just as much as your physical one.

The final hearing of House vs NCAA is scheduled for April 7, and if the court gives final approval to the settlement, the responsibility for its implementation and enforcement will fall primarily to the five defendant conferences and the NCAA (NCAA ).

SHOP