FBS coaches on Tuesday unanimously voted to adjust college football's redshirt rule, allowing players to participate in up to nine games while preserving a full year's eligibility.
The vote was taken at the annual convention of the American Football Coaches Association.
According to ESPN, the current rule allows players to participate in up to four regular-season games, plus any playoff games and still maintain their redshirt.
A number of coaches reportedly pushed for a full five years of playing time in a five-year window. However, some worried that previous eligibility rulings could lead to litigation.
Many at the meeting hoped that the conversation would include a more robust discussion of the current college football calendar. However, the redshirt rule carried the day.
ESPN reported that until 2017, players were given five years to play in four seasons with exceptions made only for seasons cut short for medical reasons. In 2017, the rule changed to allow any player who participates in four or fewer games to maintain their redshirt year — a decision which quickly created an incentive for players to opt out midseason to preserve eligibility.
The changes to the redshirt rule are intended as a way to keep more players engaged and disincentivize midyear opt-outs.
