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

As a redshirt freshman for the champion Bison, Brown ran for 1,181 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to winning the Jerry Rice Award as the top FCS freshman. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025

Coach Marcus Freeman will turn to a new starting quarterback – either redshirt freshman C.J. Carr or sophomore Kenny Minchey – during a demanding start to the season that features a trip to Miami and visit from Texas A&M. —Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Another redshirt freshman with potential is Jude James, a former high school teammate of Norfleet. —Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2025

There is significant depth behind them with graduate senior returners Brady Anderson and DJ Herman and redshirt freshman Tanner Williams, a Utah State transfer. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for redshirt

• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• overt