Kentucky QB Brock Vandagriff has 'really enjoyed' use of helmet communication

A significant change to college football could be on the way this fall. Earlier this month, the NCAA Football Rules Committee proposed a rule that would allow schools the use of coach-to-player helmet communications, the player most likely being a quarterback. This is something the NFL has been using for decades but is just now popping up in the college football world.

While we won’t know for sure if this new rule will be implemented in the FBS until the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel meets on April 18, plenty of college teams across the country are acting as if it’s already in place. Kentucky is one of them.

Through the Wildcats’ first two weeks of spring practice, quarterback Brock Vandagriff and new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan have been utilizing the new helmet communications. There are clear competitive advantages to using the technology as opposed to not, and Vandagriff is on board with it so far.

“The helmet communication is pretty sweet,” Vandagriff told reporters following Saturday’s practice. “So basically we signal to all of our skill guys and running back, and the helmet communication is Coach Hamdan just telling me the play. If there’s anything, alerts or any checks I need to know, he’ll tell me that as well.

“Basically, everyone else is looking for the signal. I’ll tell the (offensive line) their job, whether it’s protection or run play, snap count, and then basically just run it from there. So I don’t even have to really look to the sideline unless there’s a check that’s late after the mic cuts off or something or if there’s any technical difficulties. Making sure I still know the signals as well in case something like that does happen.”

In the proposal, the player wearing the headset would be identified with a green dot on the back of their helmet. Communication between player and coach would be cut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or whenever the ball is snapped — whichever happens first. The technology allows for a clearer line of communication between coach and player, with the player then relaying all of the information to the rest of his teammates.

“There’s been some previous coaches I would not have liked in my ear,” Vandagriff joked when asked if he enjoys that kind of instant communication. “But Coach Hamdan, he’s been great so far. He’s making sure he just tells me the play, any duties or responsibilities for that play, and just leaving it at that.

“Because it really is a mental game at the quarterback position and you want to make sure you’re really not overthinking stuff, just playing ball, making each play as easy as it can be, as simple as it can be. If this happens, where am I going? If this happens, what’s my check? Stuff like that. He’s done a great job of doing that.”

The main advantage to this potential rule? It gives both the player (Vandagriff, in this instance) and play caller more time to read the defense as everyone is lining up. No more funky cartoon characters on poster board to disguise a play call — instead, a real-time conversation between QB and OC about what’s unfolding in front of them.

“I’ll be able to keep my eyes down the field a little better, being able to see how they’re moving, how they’re lining up,” Vandagriff added. “Basically not me having to look at a signal for five to eight to 10 seconds. I’m just hearing it. I’m seeing what’s going on, thinking about what I’m gonna do, making sure guys are lined up.

“I get the stuff before the signal even starts. We’re all on the same headset, he’s saying it, they’re starting the signals, they’re getting the boards ready, and I hear it — all right Chip (Trayanum) or all right Demi (Sumo-Karngbaye), they’re wanting you to start out of the backfield here. It’s just really sweet to be able to do that stuff. It’s something I’ve really enjoyed so far.“

Coach Hamdan is expected to bring a no-huddle offense to Kentucky in his first season as OC. Expediting the process by being able to speak directly to his quarterback should only make the Wildcats’ offense that much more efficient.

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