Redshirt Tracker for Gopher Football freshmen

This past offseason, the NCAA changed the redshirt rule for football. Previously if a freshman (really any class, but typically freshmen) played in one game, that year counted as a year of eligibility gone. If there was an injury to that player and he had only participated in a few games, he could often get a medical redshirt and still have 4 years to play football.

The new rule is that players can play in 4 games while still retaining the current year as a redshirt year. This a great move by the NCAA and this rule could not have come at a better time for the young Gophers.

The interesting thing with this new rule is going to be how different coaches utilize this rule to their advantage. Will programs play freshmen early, typically against weaker non-conference opponents to get reps? Will they wait and have them play in the final 4 games of the year? Will they hold on to those four games in the event that someone gets injured, freshman HAS to play but can still retain his redshirt?

Here is where we keep track of who has played and how many games, according to the GopherSports.com participation report as part of the box score.

Participated in a Game

• QB - Zack Annexstad (1) - 16/33 passing, 220 yards, 2 TDs
• WR - Rashod Bateman (1) - 5 rec, 52 yards
• RB - Bryce Williams (1) - 31 yards rushing, 1 TD
• OG - Curtis Dunlap Jr. (1)
• OT - Daniel Faalele (1)
• OL - Ben Davis (1) - SO JUCO transfer
• TE - Brevyn Spann-Ford (1)
• TE - Max Janes (1) - walk on - played late

• CB - Terell Smith (1) - 8 tackles, 3 pass breakups
• LB - Thomas Rush (1) - 1 sack, 3 tackles
• LB - Braelen Oliver (1)
• LB - Mariano Sori-Marin (1)
• DL - Jamaal Teague (1) - 1 TFL
• S - Josh Aune (1)
• DB - Benny Sapp III (1) - participated on special teams
• DB - Jordan Howden (1) - 2 tackles
• DL - Mayan Ahanotu (1)— though not on the official gophersports.com report he did play in the 4th Quarter

Has Not Yet Participated

• RB - Nolan Edmonds
• WR - Jornell Manns
• WR - Erik Gibson
• OL - Austin Beier
• OL - Nathan Boe
• OL - Jack York

• DB - CJ Smith
• DE - Alex Reigelsperger
• DL - Mayan Ahanotu
• DL - Abi N-Okonji

Has Exceeded 4 Games

TBD - Annexstad, Bateman and Terell Smith will all certainly end up in this section. Who else is needed for more than 4 games?