redshirt

noun

red·​shirt ˈred-ˌshərt 

: a college athlete who is kept out of varsity competition for a year in order to extend eligibility

redshirt verb

Examples of redshirt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The job ultimately went to Miller Moss, the redshirt junior whose six-score coronation had come months earlier at the Holiday Bowl. —Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

The Gators expect to return redshirt juniors Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs Jr., who are 1-2 in tackles for loss with 13 and 8. —Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024

But the 6-foot, 208-pound Hemby’s rushing yards and attempts were the lowest of his career as a starter as the offense excelled more through the air under the direction of redshirt junior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and senior wide receivers Tai Felton and Kaden Prather. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 17 Dec. 2024

Using both his arm and his leg, the redshirt sophomore brought the partisan Atlanta crowd to its feet and suddenly the Dawgs had all the momentum. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from the red jersey commonly worn by such a player in practice scrimmages against the regulars

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above