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The four-game redshirt threshold is here for much of Texas' 2024 class

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•09/25/24•

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Brandon Baker
Brandon Baker (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Texas’ No. 6 ranked 2024 signing class featured one five-star in Colin Simmons, four more top-100 prospects, and an additional eight signees ranked within the top-300 of the On3 Industry Ranking. In an era of college athletics where players want to see the field as soon as they possibly can, 14 Longhorns in their first year on the 40 Acres have played for the No. 1 team in the country during its non-conference slate.

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Several of the 22 players in the class have earned starting or standard-down roles already. As the Longhorns approach their fifth game of the season, a number of Horns are on the cusp of burning their redshirts once they make their fifth appearance.

What might the next step be for those players plus others with games to spare before they are confronted by the four-game threshold?

The following reflects information from the UT game notes, which is what the NCAA goes by in determining participation.

Burning it against the Bulldogs

All these players are needed this year and have played well. While there might be some reservation regarding Black and Smith, they have played standard down snaps in non-blowout situations and provide real value on special teams to where their services are required. These are players that might not spend four or five years on campus, or guys who were needed right away (or both).

These redshirts may get burnt, and that’s okay

Games played is in parenthesis.

In a similar vein, these players are not the type Texas should expect to stay on a college roster until the end of the 2028 season.

Baker might be the heir apparent at either tackle spot, or he could find a way onto the field at a different position considering Kyle Flood isn’t afraid to deploy talented players at guard before “promoting” them to tackle when the spot opens.

January played versus ULM and his uncommon movement skills at his size don’t portend him staying longer than his senior year. Similar applies to Washington, Livingstone, Johnson-Rubell, and Mack.

We will see

Filsaime carried lofty expectations as the No. 41 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking but he has been dinged up to start the year. He could maintain his redshirt to provide a bit of a buffer for the program as it develops players to replace Jahdae Barron, Andrew Mukuba, and possibly others at the Star or safety positions after this season.

Redshirt needed

Quinn Ewers returning to and maintaining health should make this one possible. Developmental years are good, just ask Arch Manning.

Haves not played and should redshirt

There are a lot of quality players in this group but their positions are very crowded or there are injuries keeping them off the field. An extra development year doesn’t mean they are destined to be five-year players, just that they might need a little bit of work before they can take snaps of any sort in a game. It worked for Johnathon Brooks. It’s working for Hayden Conner.

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One last reminder: Conference championship games as well as College Football Playoff matchups don’t count toward the four-game limit. Participation within the 12-game regular season is what matters when looking to see if a redshirt is going to be burnt or not.

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