Which BIG XII Teams Benefit Most From the New Redshirt Rule

^UT C/O '22 5-Star Safety Caden Sterns^

Kyle Langston

@Kylelangston49

What It Is

The NCAA announced this offseason that from now on Freshman will be allowed to play in up to four games before their redshirt is burned. Until now any player who took the field for just one play was considered to have lost a year of eligibility.

Why It Matters

There are two big ways this new rule can benefit coaches. One situation is simply to get your freshman nearly a half season of in game action. While this may not seem all that important, anyone who has played at an elite level will tell you that there is no substitute for in-game reps. Even if these freshman only play in the teams "cupcake" out of conference games, it will give them vital experience to build on going in to their next four years. Another way this redshirt rule can be used is in the case of injuries. If nothing else this allows coaches to sit on some of their best athletes in the likely case a starter goes down. 

Teams with the Most to Gain

While this new rule change shouldn't hurt any of the nation's 130 division I teams, some definitely have more to gain than others in the rules inaugural season. This piece will take a look at the 5 BIG XII teams that will benefit the most this season.

5. Kansas

If we are being completely honest, Kansas just needs all the help it can get. Last season, the Jayhawks won only their season opener against Southeast Missouri State. Head coach David Beaty needs something to jump start this Kansas team, and while it may not come in the form of freshman lighting up the stat sheet this season, it is possible that getting his incoming recruits an extra half season of game speed reps may pay big dividends for the Jayhawks in 3-4 seasons.

Freshman likely to get the most playing time: Corione Harris (CB) 

The Jayhawks gave up an abysmal 304 passing ypg last season. In a pass heavy conference like the BIG XII the importance of an at least competent secondary cannot be overstated. Harris is aggressive at the line and has the speed to keep up with the best receiving threats the conference has to offer.

4. TCU

TCU finished the 2018 recruitment cycle with the 3rd best class in the BIG XII (247sports). These highly sought after recruits also happen to be in positions lacking depth for the Horned Frogs. The Frogs managed to pull in what should shape up to be one of the Nation's best quarterback-receiver duos in Justin Rogers and Tevailance Hunt. Getting these guys together for four extra games this upcoming season will do wonders for their chemistry over the next few years. 

Freshman likely to get the most playing time: Justin Rogers (QB)

While starting a freshman for the entire season may not be Gary Patterson's best bet, Justin Rogers is TCU's quarterback of the future. Whether Patterson uses him right off the bat for experience purposes, or saves him in the case of an injury to sophomore QB Shawn Robinson, don't be surprised to see number 13 under center at some point this season. 

3. Baylor

It is very rare a team coming off a 1-win season pulls in a top 30 recruiting class in the same season, but that is exactly what coach Rhule did during his first full recruiting cycle with Baylor. Top recruits are buying whatever it is they are selling in Waco. The combination of such a weak season and such a strong recruiting class points towards Baylor being much higher on this list. The only reason they are not is because they also happen to be returning some of the most production in the nation. Coach Rhule said at the BIG XII media day that "it's not about getting each kid four games but making sure you find the right four games and use guys in a very systematic way."
Freshman likely to get the most playing time: BJ Hanspard (ATH)

One of Baylor's biggest issues last season was the inability to make big plays on defense. The secondary forced just three interceptions all year. Hanspard has the ability to change all of that the minute he steps on the field, and it would be foolish to not let him try.

2. Oklahoma

This new rule is going to be an exceptional test of Lincoln Riley's use of self restraint. If he decides to play incoming studs his incoming studs like Brey Walker, Brendan Radley-Hiles, and Ronnie Perkins, it will be very hard for him to put them back on the bench after the first four. Riley's best bet is to keep these guys as 2s and 3s on the depth chart and let them get their experience when injuries inevitably occur. Lucky for Riley's group they will be very deep and shouldn't be very worried about having to burn any of those redshirts. 

Freshman likely to get the most playing time: Brey Walker (OT)

Walker is Oklahoma's lone 5-star recruit and at 6'7" and 320 pounds he will be more than capable to step in for Lincoln Riley in some key games throughout the season should one of the starting lineman go down.

1. Texas

This one is easy. The recruitment magic Tom Herman had in Houston followed him to Austin this year as the Longhorns scored the third best recruiting class in the nation and by far the best in the BIG XII (247sports). This includes amazingly snagging 9 of the top 12 recruits from Texas. We already know Herman can recruit and coach. This rule will be another obstacle to carefully hurdle, but there is little doubt Herman will handle it as well if not better than all the other BIG XII coaches. If he can correctly get these kids meaningful game experience and still hold on to that year of eligibility, it could make Texas a championship contender in the next couple years.

Freshman likely to get the most playing time: Caden Sterns (S)

With 3 of Texas' top 4 recruits being safeties, Herman will have to move some of them to cornerback or nickel, and the best way to decide who goes wear is to let them battle it out on the field. The clear favorite going into the season is Caden Sterns. Sterns was the best overall player in Texas last year (247sports), and will be able to make an immediate impact in the secondary anywhere Herman sees fit.