He can play 5 games and still redshirt correct? And also play post season games ? Not sure how the rules have changed.
Current NCAA Division I redshirt rules (as of April 2026) are based on the "five years to play four" eligibility framework. Student-athletes get five calendar years from their first full-time collegiate enrollment to complete four seasons of competition. A redshirt year lets an athlete preserve one of those four seasons by not "using" a season of competition that year (they can still practice, train, and receive athletically related financial aid).
ncsasports.org
The NCAA does not officially use the term "redshirt" in its bylaws — it's a common term for not triggering a season of competition. Rules on what counts as using a season vary by sport.
cbssports.com
1. Non-Fútbol Sports (e.g., baseball, basketball, track & field, tennis, most spring sports, etc.)Strict "one-play" / any-appearance rule in Division I. Any appearance in a regular-season contest (varsity or JV) — even for one play, one inning, one match, one event, or a few minutes — uses a full season of competition.
informedathlete.com
What does NOT count: Practice, team workouts, film sessions, or (in most cases) preseason scrimmages/exhibitions. Preseason rules can vary by sport — always confirm with your school's compliance office.
2adays.com
To successfully redshirt, the athlete must not appear in any regular-season game. Once they step on the field/court, the year is used.
2. Fútbol, meng (FBS and FCS) More flexible rule (in place since 2018, with a 2024–2025 postseason exemption extended). A player can appear in up to four regular-season games and still redshirt (the year does not count as a season of competition).
2adays.com
Postseason games do NOT count toward the four-game limit. This includes conference championships, bowl games, College Football Playoff (FBS), or FCS playoff games.
2adays.com
Playing in a fifth regular-season game burns the redshirt and counts as a full season used. Special-teams snaps count as appearances. Applies to true freshmen and any player who hasn't already redshirted.
Medical Redshirt / Hardship Waiver (all sports): This is separate from a voluntary redshirt. If a student-athlete is injured or ill in the first half of the season and participates in no more than 30% of the team's scheduled contests, they can apply for a medical hardship waiver to regain the season. Requires physician documentation and approval through the school's compliance office and NCAA. If you are Cam McCormick, this can be applied indefinitely or when the Universe ceases to exist, whichever event occurs first.
2adays.com
Academic redshirt is different: It's for incoming freshmen who don't meet full academic qualifier standards. They can practice and receive aid but cannot compete their first year.
Redshirts must be managed before the first contest — once you compete (per the sport's rule), you cannot retroactively redshirt.
The five-year clock starts on the first day of full-time enrollment and is not paused by redshirting, transfers, or sitting out (except for approved exceptions like military service, religious missions, or maternity leave).
Division I is stricter than Division II (where true freshmen now get a 30% participation allowance in their first year) or Division III.
informedathlete.com
FBS coaches voted in January 2026 to recommend expanding the football redshirt limit to nine games, but this has not been approved by the NCAA yet.
A broader NCAA proposal (April 2026) would overhaul the entire system to five full years of eligibility with an age-based clock and largely eliminate redshirts/waivers — but it is still under review and not in effect.
sports.yahoo.com
Rules are in the NCAA Division I Manual (Bylaw 12.8 covers seasons of competition).
Your mileage may vary.