Redshirt Rules Rewrite College Football | Oklahoma Sooners Football News

Oklahoma Sooners Football Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 7, 2026 · 1m

College football just got smarter for student-athletes: new rules let freshmen play up to four games and still keep their redshirt year, giving them more room to grow without burning eligibility. Special teams coaches are thrilled—talented rookies can now contribute on kick coverage or field goal protection without sacrificing future playing time. Think of a freshman offensive lineman helping on special teams while still preserving his eligibility for his main position. Players like Manny Choice and Elijah Thomas already made tough calls to play special teams last year; under the new rule…