There could be more changes to the game.
College football redshirt rules could undergo shocking overhaul after unanimous FBS coaches vote originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
FBS coaches voted unanimously Tuesday to expand the redshirt rule that would allow players to appear in up to nine games while still preserving a full year of eligibility. This wasn't official and still needs to be enacted by the NCAA.
The vote was taken during the annual convention of the American Football Coaches Association. This is a clear reaction to player eligibility and roster management concerns in the sport. Under the current rule, players may compete in up to four regular-season games to retain eligibility.
While nine games seems too much, there's no real middle ground for evaluation purposes. Several coaches advocated for a more sweeping change that would permit five full seasons of participation within a five-year window. However, concerns over potential legal challenges brought by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and others are trying to be avoided in the future.
Roughly half of the 136 FBS head coaches attended the meeting, including Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, according to ESPN's David Hale. Coaches said the proposal aims to curb midseason opt-outs, which have increased amid NIL incentives, revenue sharing and heavy transfer portal movement.
More: Fernando Mendoza rejected Miami’s payday — now he’s one win from a national title
With the transfer portal down to one period and closing soon, this will become more interesting going into the 2026 season.
More college football news:
- Dan Lanning rips College Football Playoff, calls for major changes
- Demond Williams bombshell could have resulted in Lane Kiffin being fired by LSU
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Top 2026 NFL Draft prospect suffers broken rib in CFP quarterfinal loss
- Ohio State's Ryan Day faces backlash after Cotton Bowl
Category: General Sports
