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New Redshirt Rule Coming -- Wow!

Discussion in 'RayGator's Swamp Gas' started by ETGator, Jan 14, 2026.

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  1. Jan 14, 2026 #1
    ETGator

    ETGator Long-Time Gator Stuck In East Tennessee Moderator VIP Member

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  2. Jan 14, 2026 #2
    Gatorhead

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    Whew had me worried, after a quick scan I misinterpreted to think players have 9 years of eligibility.........

    God, Indiana, please, beat Miami, by like 31 points, there has to be some good from this season.........
     
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  3. Jan 14, 2026 #3
    scooterp

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    I thought the 5 year option was better. With a cap on 6, for injuries, grad transfers and such.
     
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  4. Jan 14, 2026 #4
    ETGator

    ETGator Long-Time Gator Stuck In East Tennessee Moderator VIP Member

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    It's "pending committee approval" but if it's approved, how can they not allow retroactive application essentially giving most players an extra year in the transfer portal, um, college.


    Edit: This sounds just too bizarre . . . even for the feckless NCAA. If somebody finds it not true, please let me know so I can delete this thread.

    Edit II: I found more:

    College football eligibility: Coaches vote to expand redshirt years to nine games

    https://www.espn.com/college-footba...s-vote-unanimously-adjust-sport-redshirt-rule

    FBS coaches vote unanimously to adjust sport's redshirt rule

    College football redshirt rules could undergo shocking overhaul after unanimous FBS coaches vote | Sporting News
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2026
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  5. Jan 14, 2026 #5
    ETGator

    ETGator Long-Time Gator Stuck In East Tennessee Moderator VIP Member

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    Now it makes more sense why coaches are clamoring for the new rule. From the ESPN article:

    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.

    Added financial incentives with NIL and revenue sharing, as well as rampant player movement in the era of the transfer portal, have made those midseason opt-outs more frequent.

    The changes to the redshirt rule, Swinney said, are intended as a way to keep more players engaged and disincentivize midyear opt-outs.
     
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  6. Jan 14, 2026 #6
    WESGATORS

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    You can't make this stuff up.

    Go GATORS!
    ,WESGATORS
     
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  7. Jan 14, 2026 #7
    kes

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    Wut is going on?! Geesh
     
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  8. Jan 14, 2026 #8
    kes

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    Sandlot style. Writing crap in the dirt as they go.
     
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  9. Jan 14, 2026 #9
    Gatorrick22

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    It's too bad some players still ran out of years... Lol.
     
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  10. Jan 14, 2026 #10
    96Gatorcise

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    Just get rid of redshirts and make it 5 yrs plus injury year if applicable.
     
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  11. Jan 14, 2026 #11
    96Gatorcise

    96Gatorcise Hurricane Hunter

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    A savvy coach just won't play any freshman for the first 3 games so they will be available the rest of the year and still get a redshirt. You could redshirt an entire freshmen class.
     
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  12. Jan 14, 2026 #12
    KronoGator

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    What's coming is you can play as long as you are enrolled in a class, gonna have guys playing a decade.
     
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  13. Jan 14, 2026 #13
    Crusher

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    Just get rid of eligibility requirements altogether. Anyone that enrolls can play indefinitely until they either get cut or retire. Better yet, why do they need to be students at all. Its a pro league and the Universities are only using them for what money they can make. Pretending that they are doing these players some good is a joke.
     
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  14. Jan 14, 2026 #14
    manigordo

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    Now in his 14th year, 33 year old Billy Jones is now QB at his 12th school, the University of Miami. His NIL salary is not known but he is now a spokesperson for Depends.
     
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  15. Jan 14, 2026 #15
    Skink

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    That’s too logical
     
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  16. Jan 14, 2026 #16
    bposs

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    My man when he reads the redshirt news

    upload_2026-1-14_15-32-54.png
     
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  17. Jan 14, 2026 #17
    Endless Excuses

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    They may have got to the NC but a big blowout for Miami would be well worth it!
     
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  18. Jan 14, 2026 #18
    Wanne15

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    I read where Indiana has 47 players over the age of 24
     
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  19. Jan 14, 2026 #19
    foot

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    Why is the max number of years 5 years? As long as you are enrolled in college shouldn't you be able to play? Are we violating someone's precious rights?
     
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  20. Jan 14, 2026 #20
    your_perfect_enemy

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    I read they didn’t want to make it the full 5 because of the Chambliss lawsuit, which just makes them cowards
     
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