Last Thursday, both Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun and senior guard MJ Collins made reference to the possibility that a shift in eligibility rules could occur that would enable Collins to play a fifth season. That rule change is the five-year rule that would eliminate redshirts and eligibility waivers in favor of just giving all athletes a blanket five seasons to play no matter what happens within them.
“MJ texted me last night, said, ‘Looks like we’ll be back together for another year.’ I guess some 25 year old guy got eligible,” Calhoun said.
Such a rule change would allow a fifth season for Collins because he never utilized his redshirt, nor received a medical redshirt. His actual time in collegiate basketball matches with his eligibility clock. Two years at Virginia Tech from 2022 to 2024, one year at Vanderbilt in 2024-25 and now a fourth season at Utah State this year.
Exactly what recent news prompted Collins to believe that such a rule is imminent is unsure, but there have been plenty of reports indicating the opposite.
Firstly, back in October 2025 an internal memo from the NCAA stated that “for the remainder of the current academic year and for the rosters competing during the 2026-27 academic year, it will maintain existing eligibility rules.” Furthermore, just last week, attorney and legal analyst Mitch Gilfillan reported that sources told him “D1 has no plans to allow 5 years of eligibility in 5 seasons ‘unless the courts force us to.'”
ELIGIBILITY: NCAA source confirms D1 has no plans to allow 5 years of eligibility in 5 seasons “unless the courts force us to.”D2 is a week away from voting whether to allow 5 years of eligibility. I have stated for years we are on an eligibility collision course amongst NCAA… https://t.co/VorpctPVYl
— Mitch Gilfillan (@mitchgilfillan) January 7, 2026
It’s possible that a five-years-to-play-five eligibility model could become the standard in Division I eventually, especially as Division II leagues are going to make that change in the immediate future. But for now, as much as Aggie fans would like to have Collins for another season, the possibility of that happening is slim to none.
Collins himself has been an outstanding player, bringing a combination of scoring and efficiency not seen in Logan since Jaycee Carroll wore the Fighting White. Collins is averaging 20.5 points per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the field overall and 47.8% from three. No Aggie since Carroll has averaged north of 20 points while shooting 50 percent overall and 40 percent from three (the next-closest candidates are Sam Merrill who averaged 19.7 points on 46/41 shooting or Justin Bean who scored 17.4 points per game on 53/46 shooting).
Exactly how Collins has managed this level of scoring and efficiency is a question a lot of people are probably trying to answer. In his first three seasons in college, Collins was not the picture of efficiency or scoring prowess. He averaged 6.3 points and shot 37.0% from the field and 28.1% from three.
The explanation largely comes down confidence and role. Collins has long seen himself as a dominant scorer, and at Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt, his two previous stops, that role wasn’t available. As such, his scoring and efficiency were disjointed. All Collins felt he needed was a chance. And when he signed with Utah State, he was certain he’d have his signature year.
“I’ve always been a dominant scorer. And me finding the right system, with the right group of guys, I’m just in my natural element right now. And I don’t really have to do too much. I kind of just let the game come to me. And it’s easy when you’re playing with a Mason Falslev and then you have a Drake Allen, a Elijah Perryman as your point guard. So you really just sit there and let them do all the work, and then, you know, you just be stuff of it. So I’m thankful for those guys and everybody that’s in the program. Of course, I couldn’t do it without them.”
Along with scoring, Collins has brought leadership to the team. As one of the five seniors, it’s a natural role for him to take and it’s one he’s taken to rather well.
“I took him under my wing maybe a month or two before the season started. I started picking him up every day. Inviting him over to my house. Just trying to talk to him, make sure his mind is on straight. Ask him if he ever needed anything. He can let me know. Just trying to be that big brother role that I can be to him.”
Along with off-the-court stuff, there’s plenty of on-the-court advice a veteran like Collins can offer a freshman like Perryman.
“Just make the simple plays. Don’t turn the ball over. Play defense and you’ll play. That’s just what coaches like, especially with Coach Calhoun,” Collins said. “Know the plays. Take care of the ball. You’re going to be in good shape. That’s what (Perryman has) kind of done.”
One player Collins has sought to mentor is freshman point guard Elijah Perryman, who is currently averaging 5.8 points and 4.1 assists per game. And perhaps it’s been some of Collins’ advice that has helped the true freshman guard to some breakout performances. Just last week against San Jose State, Perryman became the first freshman to record a double-double, scoring 13 points and dishing out 10 assists, since 2019. He was also the only freshman to have a double-double via points/assists since at least 2004.
While Collins is the current star of the Aggies, he himself said that Perryman is “going to be the future of Utah State” and that “he’s only going to get better the more he continues to play.”
The wild west nature of college athletics has opened windows to quite a few things once thought impossible, the prospect of the Aggies hanging on to a possible conference player of the year caliber player is unlikely to present itself. The future will indeed hang on players like Perryman along with Adlan Elamin and Falslev.
