College football coaches have voted in favor of a major change to the redshirt eligibility rule.

FBS coaches voted unanimously Tuesday to change the redshirt rule and allow players to play up to nine games and preserve a full year of eligibility.

The vote was taken during the AFCA convention in Charlotte, N.C.

The coaches’ vote is a recommendation that will still need approval from the NCAA Division I committee to become official.

The current NCAA football redshirt rule allows players to participate in four or fewer regular season games and retain their full eligibility (the “five to play four” rule), with postseason games not counting towards the limit.

The recommended change to the redshirt rule is aimed toward keeping players engaged, addressing transfer portal issues and disincentivizing midyear opt-outs.

–Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images