Why is TJ Finley playing for his seventh team?

TJ Finley is playing for his seventh team due to multiple waivers granting him extended eligibility beyond the standard four years.

Which team is TJ Finley playing for in 2026?

TJ Finley is set to play for Incarnate Word in 2026.

How did TJ Finley get seven years of college football eligibility?

Finley received a pandemic waiver and two medical hardship waivers, granting him an additional three years of eligibility.

Home / Sports / QB Finley's 7th Team in 7 Seasons: A College Football First?

QB Finley's 7th Team in 7 Seasons: A College Football First?

15 Jan

•

Summary

TJ Finley will play for his seventh college football team in 2026.
He received three waivers, extending his eligibility for an unprecedented seven seasons.
Finley's move to Incarnate Word makes him their highest-profile QB since Cam Ward.

QB Finley's 7th Team in 7 Seasons: A College Football First?

TJ Finley is preparing for a historic seventh season of college football, set to play for his seventh different team. He has officially signed with Incarnate Word for the 2026 season, marking a unique path through collegiate athletics. Finley's extended eligibility stems from a combination of factors, including a pandemic-related waiver and medical hardship waivers for season-ending injuries in 2022 and 2024.

These waivers, totaling three extra years, have allowed Finley to extend his college career beyond the standard four-year eligibility clock. His journey began six years ago as a recruit with the LSU Tigers, and has since included stints at Auburn, Texas State, Tulane, WKU, and Georgia State.

Finley's arrival at Incarnate Word positions him as the program's most prominent quarterback since Cam Ward's tenure in 2020. Ward later transferred to the Miami Hurricanes and was the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, highlighting the potential trajectory for Finley.