The COVID-19 pandemic came with unprecedented changes. As colleges shut down and normal life turned topsy turvy, the NCAA made a pivotal decision. College wrestlers having the 2020-21 season on their calendar would have an extra season of eligibility to compensate for the COVID-19 disruption. And it happened to coincide with Carter Starocci’s tenure at Penn State.

One of the greatest wrestlers the collegiate circles have seen, Starocci, just dominated the 184 lbs weight class. When he was done in 2025, the NCAA saw him leave with a record that no wrestler in the history of American collegiate wrestling had achieved.

Carter Starocci’s immense success can be credited to the NCAA Covid waiver eligibility rule. And replicating it wouldn’t have been a possibility unless those special circumstances of 5 years of eligibility became operable again. But what if that exact special scenario became the norm? Glenn Kinley, an accomplished media personality, dropped the news about the huge NCAA development on his X handle on September 20. “Bret Bielema is expecting the NCAA to pass a rule giving players five years of eligibility.”

The talks are related to college football, but if it is a blanked change, that also impacts college wrestling, it might just be a game-changer. Just like that, becoming a 5-time NCAA champion will not be a mythical record that only Carter Starocci has, but a possibility for any challenger if the quality is there. Talking to the reporters, the Illinois football head coach shared more about how the discussions have been going on behind the scenes. “It’s kind of in the same spot that like headset communication was two years ago,” said the veteran coach.

The groundbreaking coach-to-player communications through the helmet radio system were implemented in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in 2024. Meaning, the 5-year eligibility change is about to be confirmed by all the stakeholders, and they are hoping to see it implemented from 2026 itself.

And most of the prominent coaches he has spoken to want this change to take place. “I know the Big 10 is 100% behind it,” Bielema said. “I know the Big 12 was when I talked to Coach (Joey) McGuire down at Texas Tech. And then I talked to several SEC coaches who said the SEC was going to be on board as well.”

Once the 5-year eligibility system gets implemented, we are looking at the record books being rewritten. Although, would it actually be that easy to match Carter Starocci?

Carter Starocci’s record is still one to be remembered

If there is one parallel to be drawn with what Starocci has achieved in his college tenure, it is the dynastic reign of Penn State that Cael Sanderson has created. Since 2022, Penn State has won 4 NCAA championships in a row. And they are ready to go back in and start on the 5th straight championship in the 2025-26 season.

What Carter Starocci achieved is a testament to Penn State having the best talent to wrestle for them. That’s just the plain truth. In 2020-21, the freshman came in and overpowered top-seeded Michael Kemerer of Iowa to claim his 1st title. In 2022, it was a close battle with Virginia Tech’s Mekhi Lewis, an NCAA Champion himself. And Carter Starocci prevailed in 2 tie-breakers.

In 2023, it was more straightforward, Starocci getting the title secured in the first period itself against Mike Labriola of Nebraska. Then came the moment of truth. In 2024, he had his challenges – serious knee issues and battling NCAA champions meant he may not be able to defend his title. More importantly, the history books wouldn’t be impacted.

In fact, if the first 3 seasons were about seeing Carter Starocci as a great Penn State proponent, the next 2 campaigns established why the Erie, Pennsylvania, native was an NCAA legend. In 2024, Starocci became only the sixth man in history to become a 4-time NCAA champion.

In 2025, the Penn State wrestler was chasing a historic legacy. But it was almost like he was thrown a new kind of challenge. He has done it in the 174 lbs weight class. But can he do it in a new category? We saw how Carter Starocci adapted throughout the 2024-25 season, how he battled 2024 champion Parker Keckeisen for the title. Two 2024 NCAA champions are clashing with one iconic record on the line.

It was all Carter Starocci. But the Penn State icon got it done. Even with the rule change, he will be the first wrestler to win 5 NCAA titles.