In the past, appearing in one college game was enough to disqualify a player from a redshirt season.
But with an NCAA rule change allowing freshmen to play in up to four games without using a season of eligibility, Woods and Grimes, along with fellow Illinois State freshmen Austin Nagel, Iverson Brown, Luke Bennyhoff and Mike Gardner, still hold redshirt options.
That appears to be Coach Brock Spack’s plan as well. Even in past years, Spack said Woods, Grimes, Brown and Nagel still would have seen action in the season-opening 46-0 win over Saint Xavier.
The ISU coach said Brown may still be limited to four games if redshirt freshman Eric Scott continues to develop and offers another cornerback option.