They don't apply that standard to others. Like the UVa basketball guard who had to get closer to home to uhhh take care of his sick granny. I'm sure he is giving her amazing care every weekend.
You can't arbitrarily decide who needs time off and who doesn't. Thats outrageous.
Truthfully your concept is valid. If someone has to deal with a dire situation at home then take a year and grant them an extra year of eligibility. Thats problem solving. However thats not what this is about. Its always about football and wanting to play somewhere else. We know it and the NCAA knows it. So they can't be arbitrary (and crooked) about their decisions