Hey folks! This has been itching on my mind lately; how old are most college football players? I play football in high school and was wondering about the age range in college. Thanks for any insight!
Hello! Generally for Division I college football, the typical age range is roughly 18-23 years old. This encompasses the traditional four years of eligibility, plus a possible "redshirt" year.
A "redshirt" year is an extra year allowed by NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) rules, which states that a college football player can be part of the team and practice with them but not play in games. This extra year essentially extends a student’s athletic eligibility to five years.
However, age can vary. You might find older players who started college later due to military service, a mission trip, or transferring from a community college. There are also instances where a player may receive a medical redshirt, granting them an additional year of eligibility due to an injury that resulted in them missing a significant portion of a season.
Remember, no matter the age, all athletes must adhere to NCAA eligibility standards and rules to play. Good luck with your football aspirations!
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