Quote:It sure would have been nice if they made that distinction when he won the Heisman. All I ever read was "first freshman," not "first redshirt freshman."

 

The same thing happened with Michael Vick. All I read was sophomore, not redshirt sophomore, so I could not understand how he could be eligible for the 2001 draft.

They were correct when they say "first freshman" because Manziel was the first player to win the Heisman, regardless of "true" or "redshirt".

 

The NFL made it a policy that stated a prospect has to be at least 3 years removed from high school to be eligible to enter the NFL draft.  Now, I don't know if that policy was implemented before or after 2001.  Anyone remember Maurice Clarrett?  He and another student tried to challenge the system so that htey can enter the 2003 NFL draft, but the court ruled in favor of the NFL so they couldn't declare until a year later. 

 

As far as Vick was concerned, yes he was a redshirt sophomore.  To avoid any confusion, just remember this: a college prospect has to be at least 3 years removed from high school in order to be eligible for the NFL draft, which means, at the earliest, he is either a true junior or a redshirt sophomore.

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