When the new redshirt rule was first introduced, everyone believed it would be a good thing for college football. Allowing players to participate in four games, regardless of the point in the season, seemed like a great way to develop young talent.

But five weeks into the season, some coaches don’t appear to be in favor of the rule. Now that players are transferring after that four-game limit, including big stars like former Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant, there are people who are starting to speak out against it.

One of those people is Nick Saban.

The Alabama head coach was asked for his opinion on the new redshirt rule, and he seemed to initially be on board with it. But his mind has changed over the past few weeks and believes players are starting to take advantage of it.

“I do think that this is not a good rule,” Saban said. “The timing of guys being able to say ‘I want to get redshirted’ is not good, the fourth or fifth or sixth game of the season after they’ve played three or four games.

“They have a responsibility and obligation to play for their team. We gave them a scholarship. I don’t really think it’s fair to their teammates to have the option not to continue play. I think that’s not a good thing. I think the intent of the rule was so you could play a young player, a freshman player and enhance his development. This has turned into something that I think is less than what we desired it to be.”

Saban has been battling with the two-quarterback situation all year long, as Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts continue to split snaps, with Tagovailoa getting the starts. Many have believed Hurts would decided to redshirt and transfer out if he didn’t play, but that’s not been the case.

Saban probably isn’t the only coach that feels this way. It’s likely that more coaches will speak up as players continue to transfer midseason. But, for now, it’s a rule every college coach has to deal with.

Below is the full video of Saban talking about the redshirt rule.

https://twitter.com/Ria_Martin/status/1046221081122615297