BOWLING GREEN — All across college football, 2018 could be the year of the freshman.
A handful of select true freshmen will be major contributors as usual, but more first-year players are likely to hit the field this season than ever before.
The NCAA’s relaxation of redshirt rules allows players to play in as many as four games this season and still qualify for a redshirt, thus granting some playing time without sacrificing a year of eligibility. Previously, a player was ineligible for a standard redshirt if he played in even one game.
The rule change was popular among college coaches, who now are operating with what feels like an expanded roster.