New Redshirt Ruling: Baylor players it could benefit

With the passing of the new rule on redshirts by the NCAA earlier this week, coaches across the country will now be able to maintain and balance their roster in an extremely flexible way.

The implemented rule allows a college player of any classification to still maintain their status as a redshirt while playing in up to four games. That includes a true freshman who was forced into action as a true freshman because of injuries at his position and has the opportunity to maintain his redshirt status after playing the first four games or a senior who is injured in game No. 4. Moving forward, every player on the roster is able to play four games without putting their redshirt in jeopardy. 

“Maybe it’s a little too much pressure, maybe they’re a little banged-up,” Matt Rhule told Jerry Hill of the Baylor Bear Foundation. “This removes that stress. It allows you to give them the experience of going out. They’ve worked hard, they have a chance to go out on game day, have a chance to play. If they’re ready, great. And if they’re not ready, then we can save their year.”

Read the entire article with Matt Rhule's thoughts on the recently passes NCAA rules.

With Baylor's roster predicament in 2016 and 2017, this could help return players to the correct classification if needed. Some of those reasons are from injuries in practice, games, or weight room activities.

Below are the Baylor players who are still eligible for a redshirt who could be used four games in 2018 while not losing a year of eligibility.

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Quarterback

Charlie Brewer‍ ‍(So.)  - Yeah, yeah, yeah... he's the starter. He isn't redshirting. He's in control of the Baylor team. Unless injury occurs and/or Jalen McClendon comes in and dominates the Big 12.

Gerry Bohanon‍ (Fr.) - The freshman four star could be helped in the opposite way from Brewer. Baylor blows out ACU and in comes Bohanon for mop up duty to get a feel for the speed of the game. Bohanon is then used in three other games and maintains his redshirt if Brewer and/or McClendon are not able to go.

Running Back

John Lovett‍ (So.) was possibly the most productive back in 2017. The position is talented and could absorb him playing in certain games to return a year to his eligibility. 

Trestan Ebner‍ (So.) has great hands and can break a game open at any time. Does Craig Williams allow a four game rest? Will Abram Smith allow a change in pace against an opponent where a power back is needed? 

The combination of Lovett, Ebner, Williams, Hasty, and Smith could allow the first three to redshirt and gain another year if roles are divided.

Wide Receiver

Denzel Mims‍ (Jr.) - The leading returning receiver isn't going to redshirt, unless injured.

RJ Sneed‍ (So.) - Sneed is returning from injury and looked like he never missed a step in the Spring. He will be a backup in 2018, barring injury to other players, which could allow him to play if needed for depth and maintain another year.

Gavin Holmes‍ (So.) - The sophomore is returning from a late season ACL tear and the new ruling could allow him to play the last three regular season games and bowl game without rushing onto the field.

Jared Atkinson‍ (Jr.) - Atkinson took a family leave when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. He is now back with the team, but never redshirted in 2016. He could take time to work back into shape and regain the year he lost when he should have redshirted in 2016. 

Rajah Preciado‍ (Jr.) - Preciado arrived as a defensive back and then played sparingly in 2016. He saw the field more in 2017, but the four games could help him learn the position while also giving him time to develop.

Offensive Line

Ryan Miller‍ (So.) - The sophomore center from Southlake was forced into duty and then injured. Now healthy, Miller appears to be the backup to Sam Tecklenburg‍ in 2018. Miller could be an emergency center for injuries and the third string center would be allowed to spell Tecklenburg in two or three games.

Xavier Newman‍ (So.) - Newman was the second freshman to not redshirt in 2017 due to depth and 2018 has plenty of guard depth. The combination of Valentin, Klinge, Anderson, and Beard could keep guard healthy and fresh legged. Newman could see time in four games if he is not the starter coming out of Fall camp and gain his year back.

Johncarlo Valentin‍ (Jr.) - The JC signee is on campus and adjusting to the Texas heat. Valentin can play tackle or guard which allows him to backup several positions if he is not the starter. He could take time to learn the system and work his way into the lineup later in the season if needed or gain a year back.

Defensive Line

Bravvion Roy‍ (Jr.) - Roy likely needed a redshirt year before injuring his elbow against Iowa State. He is in the two deep and unlikely to redshirt, but there is depth on the defensive line.

Micheal Johnson (Jr.) - Johnson saw his redshirt year burned for few plays. He is behind a few players and if possible he would balance the classes while getting game time.

BJ Thompson‍ (So.) - If Xavier Jones comes back to the player he was before the injury, Thompson could be used against specific teams to rush the passer. It is highly unlikely he isn't on the field every game.

Rob Saulin‍ (So.) - Saulin was injured his freshman season and has moved from tight end to offensive line to defensive line. He will need time to put on the weight and getting game action in four games will push his development. His situation is different with his appeal for regaining his freshman season with the injury.

James Lynch‍ (So.) - Yeah, it isn't happening. Lynch is a stud.

Linebacker

Terrel Bernard‍ (So.) - Bernard is recovering from a knee injury and expected to make an impact in 2018. If the knee isn't 100%, he could play later in the season if a setback occurs in the fall. His situation is also different with his appeal for regaining his freshman season with the injury.

Jalen Pitre‍ (So.) - Pitre started and will not redshirt as he is the expected starter again.

DeMarco Artis‍ (So.) - This one could happen if Clay Johnston is healthy, because you will have to drag him off the field. Artis will be learning a new position at middle linebacker and getting four games of experience and another year between Johnston could help the team.

Defensive Back

Grayland Arnold‍ (Jr.) - He's the starter, but if another broken arm happens in the preseason...

Timarcus Davis‍ (So.) - Davis filled in on spot duty in 2017 and could be the fifth or sixth corner in 2018 allowing him to play some games and gain his redshirt back.

Harrison Hand‍ (So.) - Hard appears to have the starting position in sights, so this is doubtful to happen. If Thomas wins the starting job, it could allow Hand to play less and regain his year.

Chris Miller‍ (Jr.) - The Junior never redshirted in 2016 and appears to be the starter alongside Blake Lynch or Verkedric Vaughns. If Miller were to get nicked up the replacements appear to be freshmen JT Woods‍ and Christian Morgan‍. Both players could put in four games each to get all three an extra year.

Special Teams

Drew Galitz (Sr.) - Galitz is returning from a torn ACL and never redshirted. Connor Martin and Isaac Power can both punt to allow Galitz more time to recover if needed.