When the NCAA revamped its redshirt rules for college football — allowing players to participate in up to four games without using a year of eligibility — coaches turned cartwheels. They suddenly were armed with increased roster flexibility and went about devising plans to use it.
For Gophers coach P.J. Fleck, now comes the challenging part. Fleck has a 3-1 team that's relying heavily on true freshmen, and he has played 16 of them, including eight who have played in all four games. Appearing in one more game will mean a year of eligibility used for those eight, and Fleck will have to mix and match how to use those freshmen who've played three or fewer games.
With that in mind, here's where the Gophers' true freshmen stand through one-fourth of the season:
Played all four games
• Zack Annexstad (QB), Rashod Bateman (WR) and Bryce Williams (RB): These three will remain key parts of the offense. Annexstad is the team's undisputed starter who was solid in nonconference but faced heavy pressure in the loss at Maryland. Bateman is second on the team with 20 catches, while Williams leads the team with 283 rushing yards and had the No. 1 role for most of two games. With Rodney Smith out for the year, Williams will get plenty of work.
• Terell Smith, CB: He's been a standout from the start. He leads the team with four pass breakups and ranks third with 22 tackles.
• Jordan Howden and Benny Sapp III, DBs: With Antoine Winfield Jr. lost for the season because of a foot injury, Howden, a walk-on, becomes key at safety. Sapp has played mainly special teams, but the speedster from Eden Prairie also will be needed.
• Thomas Rush, LB: Special teams performer and backup to Thomas Barber at middle linebacker. He'll keep playing.
• Max Janes, TE: Walk-on has played as a backup and likely will continue in that role.
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