How a Proposed 9-Game Redshirt Rule Could Change the Game for Pitt Football
develop talent, manage rosters, and keep players engaged throughout the season. At the
American Football Coaches Association annual convention, FBS head coaches voted
unanimously to back a proposal that would allow student-athletes to appear in up to nine games and still retain their redshirt year. The change still must be approved by the NCAA Division I
Committee, but the momentum behind it suggests this could be coming sooner rather than later.
What Is the Redshirt Rule Now?
Under the current rule, a player can participate in up to four regular-season games and still keep
their redshirt — meaning they don’t lose a year of eligibility. Postseason games (conference championships, bowls, CFP games) don’t count against that. This new proposal would allow
athletes to play in nine games and the post season and still retain that year of eligibility.
Why Coaches Support the Change
There are a few big reasons this idea has traction:
● Player Engagement: Coaches say the old rule gave players an incentive to opt out midseason — especially once NFL Draft evaluations, NIL deals, and transfer portal
opportunities came into play. Letting players play more games and still keep eligibility
could keep them invested in the team longer.
● Roster Flexibility: With so much movement via the transfer portal, teams want the ability to get freshmen and developmental players live experience without jeopardizing future eligibility.
● Legal and Competitive Pressures: Some coaches view this as a compromise after discussion about legal challenges to the existing rule and how eligibility is applied.
Potential Impact on Pitt Football
So what does this mean specifically for Pitt football?
1. More Chances for Young Talent. Pitt, like many Power 5 programs, regularly cycles talented freshmen and sophomores who sit early in their careers. Under the proposed rule, the Panthers could bring young players into meaningful action sooner without the old fear of burning eligibility. This could be huge for
depth-hungry positions like defensive back or wide receiver, where game reps accelerate
development.
2. Better Development. Fewer Burned Redshirts
In past seasons, Pitt coaches might hesitate to play promising young players beyond four games — even if they’re ready — because of eligibility consequences. With nine games allowed, coaches would have the freedom to integrate these players strategically, leading to more experienced rosters year-to-year.
3. More Stable Rosters
The current trend in college football has seen players opt-out as soon as NFL or transfer
opportunities emerge. Expanding wraparound game participation without losing a redshirt year may help keep Pitt players in the fold deeper into the season, bolstering continuity and team chemistry.
4. Tactics and Strategy Changes For schemes that rely on built roster depth — think defenses hauling in rotational linemen or offensive packages with situational backs — this rule gives coaches a bigger tactical toolbox. Pitt’s staff can now think beyond the four-game limit and plan player rotations more aggressively, especially late in games or in tough matchups.
Challenges and Considerations
There are some points of caution:
● Approval Is Not Yet Final: The nine-game idea still has to be ratified by the NCAA Division I committee.
● Roster Crunch: If more players see time without losing eligibility, scholarship management could get trickier — coaches will have to balance giving playing time with
maintaining future depth.
● Competitive Balance: Not all teams have the same depth, meaning powerhouses could
benefit more from expanded game participation. However, schools like Pitt that develop players over time might see more consistent progress across seasons.
If this change goes through, it won’t just be a tweak; it could redefine the freshman experience
and overall experience in college football and give programs like Pitt a new way to grow talent
and compete.
