While the bulk of Northwestern’s 28 first-years are on track to redshirt this season, a few have become regular contributors in their debut season in Evanston. Thanks to a recent NCAA rule change, first-year players can redshirt and gain a fifth-year of eligibility so long as they see action in no more than four games throughout the season:

Here’s how the Northwestern first-years have fared so far and where they stand in terms of redshirt eligibility:

Won’t redshirt (2)

Malik Washington

Position: WR

Games played: 4

Status: Washington saw the field against UNLV, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Nebraska this season. The first-year out of Georgia has recorded three receptions on the year for 18 yards. Washington consistent play over the past three conference games makes him an unlikely candidate to redshirt this season. If he sees action in just one more game, he will burn his shirt.

Trey Finison

Position: K/P

Games played: 5

Status: Finison has seen a fair amount of action in every game this season and is no longer eligible to redshirt. The Tuscaloosa native has taken the bulk of the kickoffs this season with 15 attempts for an average of 60.5 yards per kick. Finison also successfully completed an onside kick against Wisconsin in the fourth quarter.

Could go either way (7)

Evan Hull

Position: RB

Games played: 1

Status: Hull saw his first action of the season this past weekend with Isaiah Bowser out due to injury. The first-year back saw a decent amount of action as he carried the ball 7 times for just 10 yards. Hull is still likely to redshirt, but if Bowser remains out, he might be called upon for more duty as the season progresses.

Coco Azema

Position: DB

Games played: 2

Status: Azema has seen the field in Northwestern’s last two matchups. He charted two tackles on the season, both against Wisconsin. Azema could very well redshirt, but the next few weeks will determine that decision as Northwestern remains thin in secondary.

Bryce Gallagher

Position: LB

Games played: 1

Status: Gallagher only saw the field once against UNLV this season, however, he recorded one tackle during the matchup. He will also likely redshirt this season unless he burns his shirt on special teams.

Adetomiwa Adebawore

Position: DL

Games played: 2

Status: Adebawore played against UNLV and Wisconsin but didn’t record any stats in either game. It doesn’t seem wise to burn his shirt given NU doesn’t seem to be going anywhere this season, but we can’t really be sure as he is already halfway to losing eligibility.

Conrad Rowley

Position: OL

Games played: 1

Status: Rowley saw the field early this season against Stanford but hasn’t been used since. He will also most likely redshirt.

DB - Cameron Mitchell

Position: DB

Games played: 1

Status: Mitchell saw the field for the first time in his career last weekend against Nebraska. However, he is another likely redshirt.

Thomas Gordon

Position: SB

Games played: 1

Status: Gordon saw the field against UNLV but is another likely redshirt candidate despite Northwestern’s lack of production at superback.

Redshirts! (19)

The following players are yet to see game action in 2019 and thus are almost certainly going to redshirt considering they haven’t been used yet:

DB - Brandon Joseph

QB -Zac Krause

WR - Bryce Kirtz

WR - Genson Hooper-Price

RB -Connor Newhouse

DB -Rod Heard

LB -Michael Jansey, Jr.

RB -Marcus Cisco

DL - PJ Spencer

OL - Dom D’Antonio

OL - Connor Foster

DL - Luka Trifunovic

OL - Zachary Franks

WR - Jack Kennedy

WR - Wayne Dennis, Jr.

WR - Preston Bacon

DE - Jason Gold, Jr.

DL -Duke Olges

CB - Tyler Haskins