Three Freshmen Could Lose Their Redshirt At Illinois

Five true freshmen have already played in five games this season, forfeiting the chance for a redshirt, and three more could pass that threshold if they see the field this weekend against Illinois.

Under new NCAA rules enacted before the 2018 season, any player that appears in four games or less can take a redshirt, maintaining a fifth year of eligibility. 

In 2018, 16 members of Michigan's freshman class took advantage of the new rule, with only defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, wide receiver Ronnie Bell and placekicker Jake Moody appearing in five or more games to void their redshirt. 

In theory, U-M could see QB Joe Milton, RB Christian Turner, OTs Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes, LB Cam McGrone, and CB Vincent Gray among others all play a fifth year in Ann Arbor after redshirting as true freshmen. 

Every Sunday, we provide a post-game True Freshmen Tracker and as Michigan enters its contest at Illinois this weekend, five true freshmen have already played in five games, taking a redshirt off the table (they could still take a redshirt in another season if they play in four or fewer games): WRs Giles Jackson and Mike Sainristil, RB Zach Charbonnet, TE Erick All and DB Daxton Hill. 

Additionally, WR Cornelius Johnson, DL Chris Hinton and LB Anthony Solomon have all appeared in four games this season and if any of them play against the Fighting Illini they would void their redshirt for this season. 

CB DJ Turner (three games) and OL Karsen Barnhart (two games) could play at Illinois without losing their redshirt, as could every other true freshmen.