Doeren a fan of redshirt rule, not redshirts

Players can see action in up to four games without losing a year of eligibility

Rob Kinnan/USAToday sports

Ten true freshmen got into NC State's season opening win against East Carolina last Saturday. By the time the season is over, even more are likely to see their first game action.

That's because coach Dave Doeren is a big fan of the new rule instituted by the NCAA last season allowing players to appear in up to four games without losing a year of eligibility. 

"It allowed us last year to play several guys and get them to where they won't be nervous going into (this) year whether they'd be starting or playing more," Doeren said Wednesday on his weekly radio show. 

Seven freshmen took advantage of the new rule in 2018, including starting defensive end Joseph Boletepeli. There are 23 true freshmen on this season's roster. 

"Our plan is to play all these guys in four games," Doeren said. "If there are some guys in the two deep, obviously they'll play more than four games. That's kind of the approach. How you spread them out is really based on your need depth-wise and injury-wise throughout the season. It's awesome for these freshmen."

If Doeren had his way, it wouldn't matter how many games the freshmen get into.

"I wish they just get rid of redshirting and give them five years of eligibility, personally" Doeren said. "But they didn't ask me."