Miami linebacker Mohamed Toure granted rare eighth season of NCAA eligibility
Mohamed Toure must really like hitting the books.
Toure, a linebacker for Miami, is planning to return for the 2026 college football season, giving him an eighth year of eligibility, according to multiple reports on Saturday.
Toure’s decision comes shortly following the Hurricanes’ 27-21 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff national championship, and gives Miami another season with one of their top defensive performers.
Although eight years of college football might sound outlandish, Toure’s return for next season is legal under NCAA rules.
The Pleasantville, NJ native started his collegiate career with Rutgers back in 2019 as a three-star recruit out of high school, where he redshirted as a true freshman with the Scarlet Knights.
The following season, the NCAA granted all players a free year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic causing a shortened season.
Additionally, Toure lost two entire seasons — 2022 and 2024 — as a member of the Scarlet Knights because of ACL injuries, which ultimately resulted in two medical redshirts.
With all of those circumstances combined, Toure was able to get back four years of college eligibility, which will make 2026 his eighth and final season.
Toure transferred to Miami ahead of the 2025 season where he immediately made an impact on the Hurricanes’ defense, leading the team with 84 tackles — including three for loss — along with two sacks through 16 games played.
The linebacker detailed his path back from injury to The Post earlier this month, saying that he was blessed that his journey ended up the way it did.
“It’s a blessing, man. I don’t take any of this for granted,” Toure told The Post’s Zach Braziller. “I know what it feels like to be at the bottom, I know what it feels like to have to fight and go through adversity and have to overcome obstacles and just through hurdles to get to where I am today.
“Every opportunity, every game, every practice, I just take a deep breath and make the most of it and I try to have fun every single time I can.”
