[Goose]

[quote author=DC 86 link=topic=17193.msg197518#msg197518 date=1503373133]

But Luck didn't stay (for a fifth year.) He is the model for the downside of redshirting.

Actually, Solomon Thomas is.  He only played two seasons at Stanford because rather than play as a True Frosh, he redshirted.  The year he didn't play, Stanford went 8-5.  If he played that year, does Stanford win 10 games?  I have my doubts.  But he is a cautionary tale about how it makes sense to play the best players, particularly the most coveted recruits, immediately, even if they may not be as ready as they could be as RS Frosh.  If you play them, not only do you get at least three years of service from them, but you also set examples of how the most sought after recruits can play early at your school, something the top recruits often want to see.
[/quote]
He was just too small that year. He wasn't ready to show what he did later. At the size he was, he probably couldn't play in the line very effectively. He needed the redshirt year to become the player he is. If he didn't redshirt, it wouldn't have helped the team any and wouldn't have helped him any, because he wouldn't have seen any meaningful time. I think he is an argument FOR redshirting if you aren't ready. As I recall, he has made statements to that effect, although I don't have a reference ATM. So, it would have been at best a Pro Forma non-redshirt. Further, playing too light, he may have been hurt, which could have delayed or prevented his emergence as an exceptional player.

And just to be clear, Thomas would have been insane to return for his 3rd college football season when he was set to be a Top 10, and ultimately was, the #3 overall pick in the NFL draft.

Totally true. His great Sun Bowl game created a buzz that would be hard to duplicate. He had to go after that performance. Without that, it may have been arguable. With that, nobody could disagree with his choice.

[Goose]

[quote author=DC 86 link=topic=17193.msg197518#msg197518 date=1503373133]

But Luck didn't stay (for a fifth year.) He is the model for the downside of redshirting.

Actually, Solomon Thomas is.  He only played two seasons at Stanford because rather than play as a True Frosh, he redshirted.  The year he didn't play, Stanford went 8-5.  If he played that year, does Stanford win 10 games?  I have my doubts.  But he is a cautionary tale about how it makes sense to play the best players, particularly the most coveted recruits, immediately, even if they may not be as ready as they could be as RS Frosh.  If you play them, not only do you get at least three years of service from them, but you also set examples of how the most sought after recruits can play early at your school, something the top recruits often want to see.
[/quote]
He was just too small that year. He wasn't ready to show what he did later. At the size he was, he probably couldn't play in the line very effectively. He needed the redshirt year to become the player he is. If he didn't redshirt, it wouldn't have helped the team any and wouldn't have helped him any, because he wouldn't have seen any meaningful time. I think he is an argument FOR redshirting if you aren't ready. As I recall, he has made statements to that effect, although I don't have a reference ATM. So, it would have been at best a Pro Forma non-redshirt. Further, playing too light, he may have been hurt, which could have delayed or prevented his emergence as an exceptional player.

And just to be clear, Thomas would have been insane to return for his 3rd college football season when he was set to be a Top 10, and ultimately was, the #3 overall pick in the NFL draft.

Totally true. His great Sun Bowl game created a buzz that would be hard to duplicate. He had to go after that performance. Without that, it may have been arguable. With that, nobody could disagree with his choice.