Former Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding is exploring a return to college football. This move follows a Friday court order from a Colorado judge requiring the NCAA to grant a fifth year of eligibility to athletes from the 2022 recruiting class. Fielding, who served as the primary kicker for the Buckeyes from 2023 to 2025, finished his initial eligibility period last year.
The legal action stems from a June rule change by the NCAA that moved to eliminate redshirts and provide all athletes with five years of eligibility. Since this policy shift, many athletes who finished their careers prematurely have filed lawsuits to secure that additional year. While the NCAA intends to file an expedited appeal against the current ruling, players like Fielding are moving quickly to gauge their options for the upcoming season.
Fielding faces a crowded depth chart if he intends to stay in Columbus. Ohio State added multiple transfers and recruits this offseason, including Baylor transfer Connor Hawkins, who is currently slated as the starter. Fielding also spent a brief period with the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL earlier this year before his release, making a return to the collegiate ranks a viable path to extend his career.
Over his three seasons as a starter at Ohio State, Fielding connected on 45 of 57 field goal attempts and 178 of 179 extra points. He played a significant role in the 2025 national championship win against Notre Dame, where he hit the game-clinching field goal. Despite these contributions, his career remains a point of debate among fans due to high-profile misses in pivotal losses against Michigan and Indiana. As it stands, he is the only notable former Ohio State player from his class likely to pursue this fifth year, as other eligible teammates are currently under contract with NFL organizations.