College football helmet communication set to begin: 'It truly is like a cheat code'

For years, college football has operated with its hand-signal and sign-driven offenses. Defenses have followed a similar pattern along with checks ahead of plays.

But when the 2024 college football season begins in less than two weeks in Dublin, Ireland, it will be the first regular-season game in the sport’s history with helmet communication.

Formally passed in April, the technology that’s been used in the NFL for three decades is now coming to college football. Every FBS program will be allowed to use coach-to-player communication, with one player on the field designated with a green dot on his helmet – just like the NFL. Communication will shut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or the snap of the ball depending on what comes first.

If more than one player is on the field with the green dot on the same side of the ball, the team will be flagged with a five-yard illegal procedure penalty.

“I just think, if you look at our college sidelines, they look like clown shows right now,” West Virginia head coach Neal Brown previously told On3’s Andy Staples. “Different colored shirts, a bunch of people. The staff has become so big and there’s people that are just designed to do that. People have real systems. And so I think man, we need to clean that up.”

Defense communication is an ‘absolute joke’

Just how effective helmet communication will be remains a key question for Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire. The Red Raiders used the technology in their Independence Bowl win over Cal this past winter but had three defensive players wearing helmets outfitted for communication.

McGuire attests it solved the need for signaling to the defense. He pushed the NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel to go with three helmets, but the panel ultimately went with just one.

“They said they just wanted to get it passed so they took the easy way instead of the right way,” he told On3. “This didn’t eliminate signals at all. …. The bowl game was perfect.”

Programs across the country have spent their training camps adjusting to the new helmet technology. Tablets will be on the sidelines this fall, too. Also used in the NFL and high school football for years, a Big 12 general manager told On3 that tablets will be crucial to cover issues and make quick adjustments.

Helmet communication could speed up gameplay, but McGuire believes hand signals and signs aren’t leaving college football this season.

“We still have to signal some stuff on offense and all our calls on defense,” he said. “As you know, I think this is an absolute joke.”

Players enjoying technology in training camp

Players have been asked about the technology in press conferences in recent weeks. Penn State linebacker Kobe King recently said the communication has kept him busy before plays, setting the front and making sure everyone hears the call.

He also joked about hearing new defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s voice come through his helmet.

“I’ve been like, ‘Coach, can you back up from the mic a little bit because I can’t really hear you very well,” King said. “You’re a little raspy.’”

LSU quarteerback Garrett Nussmeier told NOLA.com in June that communicating with offensive coordinator Joe Sloan has been a game changer.

“It’s been huge,” he said. “I think it adds a whole another level to how our offensive coordinator is able to call the game, the checks that we’re able to make and things like that. It turns it into the NFL.”

Steve Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin excited to call offenses

Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin both have experience calling plays from their time in the NFL. The Texas head coach recently told media members that helmet communication will allow him to emphasize specific parts of a play call to his quarterback.

But similar to McGuire’s point of view, the technology doesn’t allow him to make sure wide receivers are aligned properly, for example.

“For a team like us, whose very multiple, multiple personnel groupings, formations, motion shifts,” he said. “Sometimes we go fast, sometimes we huddle, sometimes we’re somewhere in between.”

He also shared concerns that having just one player on defense with a green dot could become a problem when facing a no-huddle offense.

“I also think there’s a real challenge defensively because just to think that one player on defense has a headset in, you still have to get that call to all 11 players on the field,” Sarkisian said. “And if a team’s going with tempo, that’s going to be difficult to do.”

Just like Sarkisian, Kiffin has an experienced quarterback returning to run his offense at Ole Miss. Considered a Heisman Trophy candidate Jaxson Dart has command of the playbook. Now the head coach and playcaller can be in his ear before the play.

“It truly is like a cheat code,” Kiffin said. “You’re getting talked to, you’re getting reminded of everything. Run, pass, gap splits, alignments, what to check to. So, it is a game changer, but I don’t know that you’re going to notice it as much.”