So once again it isn't burned. Why do people struggle with this.
VK, you are wrong on this one, but the issue is one of terminology, since people commonly call everything a "redshirt." There is no such thing as a "redshirt," in the NCAA rules. It doesn't exist. Rather, the NCAA says that once you enroll, you are eligible to compete for 5 years, and that you can compete in 4 of those 5 years. The "redshirt" typically refers to the 5th year (in which you are enrolled, but do not compete).
A competition year is consumed when the athlete competes in an intercollegiate event on behalf of the school. So the moment you go on the field wearing a Rutgers uniform, a competition year is used. As of today, after this year, Lewis will have 4 years to play 3.
The only way that changes is if the NCAA grants him a waiver - in other words, they make a ruling that this year didn't count. That is most commonly a "Medical Hardship Waiver." If a Medical Hardship Waiver is granted, the NCAA restores the competition year, as if you never competed.
To qualify for a Medical Hardship Waiver, you need to meet the following criteria: (1) suffer a season ending injury in the first half of the season; (2) compete in no more than 30% of the scheduled competition dates for the sport. If you meet both of those criteria, the NCAA will grant you a medical hardship waiver, and you will not lose a competition year.
So the example is: Player X (can't use player names -- no jinx!), a true freshman enrolls with the school, and begins his eligibility clock. He now has 5 years to compete in 4. He plays in the first 2 games of the football season. Because he is enrolled, he loses one of his 5 years of eligibility. Because he has competed for the university, he also uses one of his 4 years to compete. In his sophomore year, he will have 4 years of eligibility remaining, to compete in 3.
However, say in that second game he suffered an injury that can be documented, that prevents him from competing the rest of the year. In that case, the athlete could apply to the NCAA for a Medical Hardship Waiver. Because he was inured in the first half of the season, and competed in less than 30% of the scheduled competition dates, he would qualify for said waiver. The NCAA would restore the
competition year. Beginning in his sophomore year, the Player X would have 4 years to compete in 4.
Note that the Medical Hardship Waiver does not change his eligibility clock -- it doesn't give him a 6th year!! It merely says we will ignore those 2 games you played, and treat the year as if you never competed (i.e. treat the year as a "redshirt" year). Player X has lost one of his 5 years of eligibility no matter what. The only contingency is that if he gets hurt, he may get to play in all of his remaining 4 years.
