http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865616356/BYU-coach-Bronco-Mendenhall-wants-freshmen-to-be-in-program-1-semester-before-LDS-missions.html?pg=all

“I’ve had a chance to experience and see kids who are leaving straight right out of high school,” he said. “In general, anytime a player, and again a mission is still first priority, but anytime a player leaves in the summertime it basically says that when they come back that will automatically be a redshirt year.”

Given that returned missionaries will already be two years behind others in terms of development after serving a mission, even one year spent redshirting may not be the best option in Mendenhall's view.

“It actually limits a number of things in terms of future opportunities if they’re considering being an NFL player because of age,” he explained. “What I think is best currently is, and we will facilitate anything a young man wants, but ... I love the idea of them playing a semester first and then leaving in January. I think it works best for everybody.”