Are You Red-y?

Recruiting FAQ’s: Freshmen and Redshirting

By 2aDays Staff|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on January 4, 2023)

At 2aDays, we get a lot of questions about the recruiting process, including redshirting. Today, we discuss the following question from a reader:

Q: How common is it for freshman athletes to redshirt? What are the positives in doing so?

A: The term “redshirt” is used to describe a college athlete who does not participate in competitive sport for more than 30% of their season without losing that year of eligibility. Redshirts can play against their own team, but cannot compete against outside competition. It's hard to find stats that discuss the prevalence of freshman redshirts, but there are several good reasons that freshmen may choose to do so.

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Specifically, there are typically three main reasons why an athlete would want to redshirt. The first is the athlete and their coach feel that the athlete needs another year to prepare for the season (often the case for football/basketball to bulk up or learn team plays). The second and most commonly acknowledged reason is due to injury, which is often known as medical redshirting.

Another reason could be to allow the freshman to get used to the tougher academic environment. By sitting out a season, they can focus on their studies. If a freshman redshirts they will automatically be in school for five years instead of the traditional four-year period. Redshirting will also allow the athlete to complete more classes allowing them to focus more on their sport in their remaining years.

There are a variety of reasons that a freshman might choose to redshirt and it's important to note that if an athlete redshirts it won't affect their graduation. Whether or not you decide to redshirt, it's a highly personal decision–so choose what's best for you.

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