ACC Formally Proposes Overhaul to Redshirt Eligibility for 2018 Season

ACC proposes major change to redshirt rule for 2018 season

According to The Athletic's Chris Vannini, the ACC has proposed that freshmen be allowed to play in any four games and still redshirt for the season starting in 2018. The American Football Coaches Association has supported the proposal. Under current policy, a freshman is not eligible to declare for a redshirt if he plays after a team's first four games of the season. The AFCA is currently having its annual convention.

This would be a major change and could potentially have dramatic ramifications to the Hokies next year. We want to see how good some of our guys are against ACC talent, we can get that opportunity right away against FSU in the opener. Patterson showed you enough in the spring, summer, and fall to make you think he might be able to play at this level right away? Do it, give him the opportunity right away and see how he does. If it works, you found your guy, if it doesn't, you can still redshirt him and save him for later. For young teams, and teams who are continually improving in recruiting, this provides an opportunity to get their questions answered on the field with as little impact as possible. There's also the possibility that, had this been in place this year, we would have seen Hooker come in to close out the year after Jackson got hurt in the Miami game, knowing he would still have his redshirt saved, rather than having to go to Bush, who couldn't really throw the ball.