This offseason, the NCAA passed a new redshirt rule that will have a big impact on the future of the player development at the college level.

Players can now play up to four games at any point in the season and be credited with a redshirt season.

The rule goes into effect this year and will give teams a lot more flexibility with their rosters as injuries can mount or as freshmen develop behind the scenes over the course of a year and may be ready to see the field in the final month of season season.

Miami coach Mark Richt is a big fan of the new rule.

“That is the greatest rule there is,” Richt told The Joe Rose Show on 560 WQAM at ACC Media Days. “It is phenomenal that these guys are going to get on the field and play. If they are ready to kick butt, you keep playing them, and if they are not ready, you put them on the shelf and get ready the next time.”

The strategy of when to play the freshmen will be fun for coaches to figure out. Richt hinted that it might make sense for Miami to focus on using those redshirt candidate freshmen in three regular season games and then save the fourth game for the bowl game.

“We may hold a game for the bowl because things are changing as far as guys deciding not to play in bowl games and guys are more ready to play at the end of the year,” Richt said. “You may save one at the end of the year, maybe.”

The rule will also help the players develop over time. Guys won’t lose a year of eligibility by playing a small role and it makes the possibility of a fifth year senior more likely.

“I think guys will realize, maybe I should redshirt, instead of griping and moaning about not playing,” Richt said. “When you start living it out and you get road graded, then maybe you realize you are not ready. I have had a lot of guys come to me in private and ask to be redshirted after they play.”

Richt is pleased with Miami’s depth going into this 2018 season and he feels like when UM's roster gets to the point where he wants it, then the redshirt rule will be even more beneficial.

“We are trying to get to the point where you don’t have to play a guy who isn’t ready,” Richt said. “We are getting closer to that and this year’s roster going into camp is the closest we have been thus far.”