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(01-14-2020 01:27 PM)odufansam Wrote:  

(01-14-2020 09:42 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-14-2020 08:59 AM)odufansam Wrote:  

(01-14-2020 08:27 AM)T-Mac Wrote:  I love the redshirt model. However, with the transfer epidemic, it's a tough sell. The right coach can make it work. I think so far we've seen JJ isn't great at selling a redshirt year to kids.

JJ has yet to have a season where he hasn't had an immediate need to play freshmen. Step 1 is to recruit and retain well enough that you don't require freshmen to play. This is the major advantage that non-Power 5 schools should have. Smaller schools should have seasons where they can start multiple redshirt seniors. The maturity of those older guys is a key factor in beating the Power 5 teams that play mostly kids straight out of high school.

This isn't true. We very easily could have redshirted Reece, Hunter, Hueitt, etc. if they were willing to do so. Jones talks to them and asks them if they are willing to redshirt and they typically say no. Green, OTOH, was willing to redshirt. Reece, Hunter, Fields, Hueitt, among others, would have greatly benefited from a redshirt season.

At that point the conversation is happening too late. While recruiting, the coach should lay out their 5 year plan. A redshirt year to refine skills, bulk up, and earn an advanced degree. If they aren't interested, move on.