What will happen to Men’s College Track and Field with the SEC’s New Roster Cap?

With the college track and field season fast approaching, fans and athletes are gearing up for another intense season of competition. Some of the world’s top talent will be hitting the track this year, including Olympians and other elite athletes representing their colleges. But the sport is facing significant changes, especially in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), where recent decisions around roster caps and revenue sharing could have a profound impact on college track and field as we know it.

Let’s dive into the details of these changes, why they’re happening, and what they mean for athletes, programs, and the future of college track and field.

The Dominance of the SEC in College Track and Field

The SEC has long been the powerhouse of college track and field. From producing Olympic-caliber athletes to consistently winning national championships, the SEC has earned a reputation for excellence. In fact, since 2016, only a handful of non-SEC schools have finished in the top two at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. For many top high school athletes, the SEC represents the pinnacle of collegiate competition.

The SEC’s reputation and resources allow it to attract elite talent—often four-star recruits or higher—who could easily secure scholarships elsewhere. This competitive advantage is why the SEC can almost feel like a “professional league” within college athletics, and it’s a place where top athletes go if they want to contend for national titles.

However, the SEC has recently made a decision that will shake up this system, particularly affecting track and field programs.

Revenue Sharing and the New NCAA Scholarship Model: What’s Changing?

With the NCAA’s introduction of a revenue-sharing model, collegiate sports are shifting to better align with the financial realities of major programs. The model, however, has introduced a range of challenges, particularly for track and field athletes who often don’t benefit from the revenue generated by high-profile sports like football and basketball.

Historically, NCAA Division I programs were limited to 12.6 scholarships for men’s track and field and 18 for women, with no roster caps. Programs could carry as many athletes as they wanted; the limitation was purely on scholarship numbers. Under the new revenue-sharing model, however, programs in the power conferences will be allowed to offer unlimited scholarships—but with a significant catch: a strict roster cap of 45 athletes for track and field, and 17 for cross country.

In response, the SEC has implemented an even stricter cap of 35 track and field athletes and 10 cross-country athletes for men’s programs, set to take effect in the 2025–26 season. This decision means some SEC programs will need to cut athletes from their rosters to comply.

How the New Cap Affects SEC Programs and Athletes

The immediate impact of these changes is already being felt. To understand just how drastic this shift is, consider two of the SEC’s top programs:

• University of Arkansas: Known for its powerhouse cross-country team, Arkansas currently has 16 men on its cross-country roster—meaning six will need to be cut under the new rule. Additionally, with a track and field roster just under 45, the school will need to let go of at least 10 athletes to meet the new cap.

• University of Alabama: With a track roster exceeding 55 athletes, Alabama will need to cut over 20 athletes to meet the new limit of 35. In cross country, they have 26 men on the team, with only 10 spots available under the new rules.

For the SEC, which draws high-caliber talent, these cuts will affect even walk-ons who may have been competitive scholarship athletes at other Division I schools. Athletes who can’t secure one of the 35 spots on the roster might find themselves transferring or looking at opportunities outside the conference.

Why Did the SEC Make This Decision?

Given that the SEC has dominated college track and field under the old scholarship model, why would they impose a roster limit that reduces their recruiting advantage?

The answer may lie in the financial realities of college athletics. Track and field doesn’t generate revenue like football or basketball, and SEC programs likely see little incentive to fund a 45-athlete roster with full scholarships. The SEC’s dominance in the sport has been achieved under a system where teams strategically allocate limited scholarships to top performers. Expanding to 45 full scholarships per team, a proposal from the NCAA, would increase costs without necessarily improving results. By lowering the roster cap, the SEC limits financial strain while retaining its competitive edge.

The unfortunate side effect is that these changes will impact athletes who would have otherwise been part of SEC programs. For lower-ranked recruits, the roster limit means fewer opportunities to compete at the highest level.

Implications for College Track and Field Beyond the SEC

The SEC’s decision will likely have a ripple effect throughout college track and field. Other power conferences may follow suit, tightening their roster sizes and redefining recruiting strategies. Programs with smaller budgets and those that choose not to participate in revenue sharing may benefit from an influx of talented athletes seeking new opportunities.

For many athletes who fall short of making the roster, transferring to a different Division I school, or even a top-tier Division II program, could become a more viable path. These athletes could find better opportunities to develop under coaches who have the resources to focus on them individually.

The changes also mean that some committed recruits may need to de-commit and explore new options. Coaches at smaller programs, particularly those not restricted by the new roster cap, may be able to capitalize on this influx of talent to strengthen their teams.

The Future of College Track and Field

With the SEC’s new roster cap and revenue-sharing framework, college track and field is entering a new era—one that raises questions about inclusivity, financial priorities, and the balance between high-stakes competition and athletic development. While elite talent will still gravitate to the SEC, many capable athletes will find opportunities elsewhere.

For recruits and current athletes facing roster cuts, this change is undoubtedly challenging. But it also opens doors for smaller programs to grow and develop talent that might have otherwise been overlooked. Ultimately, the college track and field landscape is about to change dramatically, with fewer spots on powerhouse teams and greater potential for talent redistribution across the NCAA.

As the sport adapts to these new dynamics, athletes, coaches, and fans will be watching closely. Whether these changes will strengthen the sport or create more obstacles for aspiring athletes remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: college track and field will never be the same.

NEED HELP GETTING RECRUITED?

Work directly with Coach Rob to make sure you find a college program that is worthy of all your hard work.