# Could a freshman play varsity college football in 1948? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 10, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-freshman-play-varsity-college-football-in-1948/462998 "2008-09-10T21:17:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-freshman-play-varsity-college-football-in-1948/462998/1 "2008-09-10T21:17:02Z")
I am writing a story in which freshmen play on the varsity college team. Would that have been possible? If possible, how likely or unlikely? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-freshman-play-varsity-college-football-in-1948/462998/2 "2008-09-10T21:44:43Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > I am writing a story in which freshmen play on the varsity college team. Would that have been possible? If possible, how likely or unlikely? Thanks! Probably not possible. The NCAA only let freshmen begin playing in 1972. > **[N.C.A.A. To Delay Vote on Freshman Eligibility](https://www.edweek.org/education/n-c-a-a-to-delay-vote-on-freshman-eligibility/1983/11)** > > Despite the recommendation of a committee formed to study the academic problems of collegiate athletes, the National Collegiate Athletic Association's executive body has voted against a proposal to put the issue of freshman eligibility on the ballot... Oh hey but look – set your story back just three or four years, and he might have qualified for a wartime exemption: > **[1972 NCAA University Division football season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_College_Football_Season)** > > The 1972 NCAA University Division football season saw the USC Trojans, coached by John McKay, go undefeated and win the national championship as the unanimous choice of the 50 AP panelists. Eighth-ranked in the preseason, the Trojans were narrowly voted No. 1 in the first AP poll, and stayed out front for the rest of the year. > Prior to the 1972 season, two programs were elevated to the University Division. The new programs were Long Beach State and Tampa. The change brought the total numbe... ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-freshman-play-varsity-college-football-in-1948/462998/3 "2008-09-10T21:47:24Z")
“Red Shirting” (the practice of keeping freshmen players off the varsity squad and preserving four years of athletic elegibility) was actually practiced as early as 1937, but it’s never been a requirement. A quick Google search said that 13 members of the 2007 Freshman All-American team were “true freshmen.” There wouldn’t be a rule against it. As for how common it was, there were a whole bunch of WW2 veterans in college (and playing football) thanks to the GI Bill. An 18 or 19-year old freshman would have a tough time winning a spot on the team against 20 or 22-year olds who had been through military training. ETA: As far as I know there was no rule against freshmen on the varsity, but if there’s a cite, I yield to that. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-freshman-play-varsity-college-football-in-1948/462998/4 "2008-09-10T22:01:36Z")
Thanks, guys. Helpful! ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-freshman-play-varsity-college-football-in-1948/462998/5 "2008-09-11T02:53:37Z")
Depending on the Conference, it was allowed in the 1947-48 season.