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

Ballard is currently in the midst of preseason workouts competing against redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall for KU’s starting QB job. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026

Since Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston won as redshirt freshmen in 2012 and ’13, of the nine quarterbacks to win, only Bryce Young at Alabama in 2021 entered his Heisman season without starting experience. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

The tight ends room has a new look after losing DJ Rogers and Chase Curtis, with redshirt juniors Ka’Morreun Pimpton and Lafayette Kaiuway stepping up without a senior presence. — Steven Johnson. Produce With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

Sumrall singled out redshirt junior Bryce Lovett, who shined at left tackle a season after losing the starting job on the right side to Caden Jones. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

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