Four New Rule Changes Coming to College Football

Each year the NCAA Division I Council kicks around a few rule changes to keep us on our toes. Most are minor alterations to the college sports landscape. You may not feel these new college football rules right away, but they are certainly impacting the way programs across the country.

Unlimited College Football Coaches

It’s an odd juxtaposition for college football. They’re moving to place limits on rosters and potentially eliminate walk-ons, all while removing limits and expanding college football coaching staffs.

Previous rules allowed for only 10 assistant coaches. Programs could hire quality control assistants, but unenforceable restrictions limited them to advanced scouting and other off-the-field roles. Those restrictions have been removed, allowing these staffers to provide technical and tactical coaching on the practice field and on game days. The only restrictions that still exist are in off-campus recruiting. You can see all of the details here.

Shorter Transfer Portal Windows

We’ve learned plenty of lessons about the transfer portal in just a few years. The main lesson: it’s way too long. Initially, there was a 60-day period allowing players to put their names into the transfer portal. Most didn’t wait 60 days to make a move. It was reduced to 45 days last year and moving forward the transfer portal windows will only last 30 days.

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No More Postseason Marijuana Testing

Marijuana use will not prevent college football players from participating in postseason play. The NCAA has removed cannabinoids from its banned substance list.

“The NCAA drug testing program is intended to focus on integrity of competition, and cannabis products do not provide a competitive advantage,” said Josh Whitman, the chair of the Division I Council. “The council’s focus is on policies centered on student-athlete health and well-being rather than punishment for cannabis use.”

Changes to the College Football Recruiting Calendar

For most folks outside of the coaching world, you will not notice the four changes being made to the recruiting calendar, with one exception. In the old calendar, the current dead period ended ahead of the final weekend of July. Some programs used that weekend for one final recruiting blowout and labeled it something tacky — Beach Bash, Blue BBQ, Tiger Prowl.

This final weekend before training camp turned into something coaches felt like they had to do to keep up with the Joneses, not something they wanted to do. That is why it’s being eliminated. Rather than shoe-horning in one more over-the-top recruiting weekend, they get a moment to focus on their current team by preparing for the start of training camp the following week.