College football rule changes we could see in 2024

These are the rule changes we could see in college football in 2024 if the NCAA agrees
College football rule changes we could see in 2024
College football rule changes we could see in 2024

College football could be on the road to some very notable rule changes for the 2024 season to come after the NCAA Football Rules Committee suggested some moves that would bring the sport more in line with the NFL. And if the current trends continue among the voters of that body, it's very likely we should see some interesting changes on the field when things kick off this fall.

Any rule changes have to be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is set to meet on April 18. What are some of the rule changes being proposed by the NCAA for the 2024 season? Here's your look at what's on the table when the top brass meets.

Helmet communications

Quarterbacks in the NFL have communicated with coaches through their helmets for the past generation, but this past postseason was the first time we saw some experimentation in college football during live games.

Coach-to-player communications would be allowed to a single player on each team who would have a green dot placed on their helmet to single him out to officials. 

The communications would shut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or at the snap of the ball, whichever happens first.

Two-minute warning

Should this rule be approved, it would allow teams to re-group near the end of the first and second halves of play without having to burn a timeout. 

It would also allow TV networks to pause games in order to add more commercials, an ironic move that would come just a year after college football instituted a running clock after first downs precisely to make games faster.

College football has never had a two-minute warning in its history dating back to its founding in 1869, although the NFL has embraced the rule since the 1942 season.

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Uniform warnings

The NCAA is considering a warning for uniform violations followed by a timeout that would be charged on any subsequent offense from a member of that team.

A team found to be in violation that is out of timeouts would get a 5-yard penalty.

Use of tablets

Teams would be allowed to use 18 computer tablets between the coaching booth, the sideline, and locker room to watch in-game video.

Tackle penalty

The implementation of a 15-yard horse-collar tackle penalty inside the tackle box.


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James Parks
JAMES PARKS

James Parks is the founder and publisher of College Football HQ. He has covered football for a decade, previously managing several team sites and publishing national content for 247Sports.com for five years. His work has also been published on CBSSports.com. He founded College Football HQ in 2020, and the site joined the Sports Illustrated Fannation Network in 2022 and the On SI network in 2024.