Nine years in college football? This Montana linebacker is the latest Division I student athlete sticking around.

Montana linebacker Marcus Welnel has become notable for his extended tenure in college football, having spent nine years as a student-athlete in Division I. His lengthy college career is part of a growing trend among student-athletes taking advantage of additional eligibility options. These options include redshirt years, medical hardships, and the NCAA's decision to grant an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Welnel's situation highlights how these provisions are reshaping the landscape of college athletics, allowing athletes to prolong their collegiate careers and further develop their skills.