Expert: Vic Winnek - 9/8/2006

Question
what is grey shirted in football compared to red shirted

Answer
Oscar,
Thanks for your question.  The answer below is with help from Sean Cahill & John Mackovic who have addressed this question before on diferent websites.  They atriculate the diference as follows:

"both recipients of grey and red shirts attend classes at a school before participating in football games, the difference is in the player-to-be's time of enrollment:

Former coach and columnist John Mackovic of The Desert Sun states: "Grey shirt is a term used to designate an incoming freshman [or a transfer student] who waits until the second semester to enroll rather than the fall. College athletes are allowed a five year calendar to play four seasons. The calendar begins once one is enrolled. By waiting until the spring to start college, a player will be playing his last season in the sixth year after high school rather than the fifth. "

In contrast, infoplease.com explains that "When a player is given the "red-shirt" designation by his or her coach, that means he or she has participated in a college's academic year, but did not participate during that year's sports season. Most likely a "red-shirt freshman" in college football is going to be a sophomore in college who practiced with the team his first year, but did not play in any games (at the coach's request), or was seriously injured during his first season." By redshirting, a player gains an opportunity to learn schemes and techniques, rehabilitate an injury, learn a new position and/or physically develop without losing a year of eligibility."  A player may also seek a medical redshirt in later years with NCAA approval even if he had already had another red shirt year or had played in 12 qtrs. of play.

By waiting until the spring to start college, a player will be playing his last season in the sixth year after high school rather than the fifth. Why Gray Shirt? Sometimes a college does not have enough scholarships available for the fall. A player may need more physical development or additional academic preparation. In almost all cases the player benefits from being a little older when he begins college. Grey shirting was used as early as 1990 with Ken Dilger at Illinois. The coaches wanted him to switch to tight end from quarterback. When he arrived in the spring, he was much stronger and equipped to play tight end...he then went on the play in the NFL for several seasons.

I hope this answers your question and is explained to your satisfaction.

Best of luck to you.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official Div. 1-AA & Div. III
Western Collegiate Football Officials Association WCFOA
California Football Officials Association CFOA
Southern California Collegiate Football Officials Association SCCFOA