What Does Redshirt Mean In College Football?

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Oklahoma State cornerback Cameron Epps (23) is seen during an NCAA football game against TCU, Oct. 15, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. The Oklahoma State redshirt freshman safety had two interceptions in October 2023 against Kansas State, returning one for a touchdown.
(AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Chase Kiddy @chaseakiddy Oct 02, 2024, 4:30 PM

In college football, a redshirt season is one that doesnโ€™t count against a playerโ€™s remaining eligibility.ย 

Traditionally, a college athlete has five years to complete four seasons of competition. That allows for one extra year of development, often taken near the beginning of a collegiate career. That year would be recorded as a redshirt season.

Redshirt rules have been expanded in recent years. In 2018, NCAA football changed its rules to allow players to compete in up to four games per season without jeopardizing a redshirt status.

Redshirts also exist for medical hardship in extreme or unusual cases of injury. They were also approved in mass for NCAA athletes in the wake of the COVID pandemic because of the widespread disruption to players and sports.ย 

Redshirts exist for all college athletes, but are of particular focus in college football because of its unique rules and social status.

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About the Author

Chase Kiddy

Read More @chaseakiddy

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.