Games in the upcoming college football season might feel more like the NFL, after the NCAA approved rule changes that include new options for communications and a new automatic timeout policy.
According to new rules announced by the NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel, in FBS games, teams will be given the option to use coach-to-player communications through a device in the helmet of one player.
Similar to the NFL, that player will be identified by a green sticker on the helmet, and communications will be cut off either when the ball is snapped or with 15 seconds left on the play clock, whichever comes first.
Additionally, the NCAA will implement a system like the NFL employing automatic timeouts with two minutes left in the second and fourth quarters. These will not be additional television timeouts.
Teams in all divisions will also have the option of reviewing in-game video on up to 18 active digital tablets in the coaching booth, on the sideline and in the locker room.
These proposals were approved Thursday after being introduced March 1, and will take effect for the 2024 season.
–Field Level Media