How do college football coaches see new redshirt rule?

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American college football coaches can now apply a new redshirt rule passed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to allow all young student-athletes, no matter their class year, to still qualify for a redshirt status even after participating in up to four plays in a season.

In the past, playing just one game could cost a player an entire season of eligibility.

The redshirt term stems from the color of the jersey the players typically wear while practicing with the regular players. Redshirt players have a chance to practice with the team, attend their classes, and develop both physically and mentally before being required to play.

There are many reasons to apply for the redshirt. The NCAA has long had a strict rule in applying the redshirt mechanism to allow young players to start their academic career while slowly extending their athletic careers in college.

For example, a player can apply for the mechanism if he or she wants to balance their academic and athletic demands. Sometimes players have the redshirts because of physical injury.

The change is expected to avoid the dilemma confronting the coaches regarding whether to preserve a player's one year of eligibility or put them back on the field.

"I don't know if people on the outside or even maybe us on the inside understand how different that rule is. How much the game is going to be different, the strategy behind it," Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said. "I think it’s going to be fun."

"Brilliant. Love it. Greatest rule the NCAA has ever put in in the last 20 years," Minnesota coach PJ Fleck said.

Penn State’s coach James Franklin said he expects to take a more conservative approach with his redshirt freshmen.

"We're not just going to play guys because we can now. They still got to earn that right. If not, we'll save it until later in the season in case we get in a situation where we need a body."

TCU coach Gary Patterson said he might use freshmen more liberally on special teams to save top of the depth chart players some wear and tear. That also means keeping a closer eye on them in practice than before. "You're probably going to give your freshmen more reps than what you've normally given them in scrimmages," he said.

"There are probably no more faking injuries after game three, which everybody did," West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said.

"It's a great rule," Rutgers coach Chris Ash said. "It's a much-needed rule. It's great for the student-athlete."

Mississippi State senior defensive player Gerri Green, who previously redshirted as a freshman, is also in favor of the change. "If I could go back, I would have wanted to play those four games. Game speed is faster than practice speed."

(With input from AP)