The AFCA’s solution to redshirting doesn’t go far enough

The American Football Coaches Association has, for a second year in a row, decided to throw its full support behind the idea of allowing players who are redshirting to appear in up to four game.

“This needs to pass and needs to pass right now,” said Todd Berry, executive director of the group. Berry says he and the members of his group see absolutely no reason why any person should oppose the idea.
So let me help him out.

The proposal should be opposed because it doesn’t go far enough.

The simple answer to this issue is to do away with redshirting altogether. Every player should have 5 years to play 5 seasons. Period.
There is absolutely no downside to my idea.

Schools won’t spend one penny more on scholarships. Whether a player plays four years and redshirts one or plays all five the cost is still the same to schools.
Players who aren’t ready to play as freshmen simply won’t play as freshmen, just like now. When his freshman year is over, whether he played 1 play or 500 plays or no plays — one of his five years of eligibility will be burned. He’ll still have four years to play, just like players who redshirt now do.

If a player decides to transfer, it would work exactly like it does now. Five years after he entered his original school, his eligibility is up.
Letting players play in four games while still redshirting is simply adding another convoluted layer of legislation on top of an antiquated and useless rule.

For Threaded Fasteners, I’m Randy Kennedy with Nuts and Bolts of the Game.