College Football Coach on XFL-Style Kickoff: ‘It’ll Be in College Next Year’
The NFL decided to adopt some radical changes to its kickoff rules on Tuesday in hopes of dramatically increasing return rates in the game. Typically, any rule changes that the NFL makes, college football follows suit within a couple of years.
That’s the expectation with this rule too, as many coaches at the college level are already starting to prepare for the change.
“Wow,” Georgia Tech special teams coordinator told 247Sports. “Well, it’ll be in college next year.”
While it’s likely this rule change will be implemented soon, there’s a good chance it will not be seen until 2025, as no NCAA committees have held official discussions on the topic, according to 247Sports’ Brandon Marcello.
The new-look kickoff rules would have to stick in the NFL before college football makes the move to them, but we’ll get a great chance to see how things play out this year in the league. This is one of the most dramatic rule changes that the NFL has seen in years. The new rule will move the kicking and return teams downfield into a smaller space to limit injuries and minimize risk.
“I actually like it. I think it simplifies the phase, reduces big collisions and reduces the run load on guys by removing 60-yard sprints on touchbacks,” UCF special teams coordinator Brian Blackmon told 247Sports. “It also will open up more returns and put a premium on field position. It makes it more like a punt return play than a current kickoff return.”
So, what does the new kickoff format look like?
As Brandon Marcello describes it:
The new kickoff format adopted by the NFL is a variation of the kickoff rules originating in the XFL, which tightens the field and blocking zones, and eliminates fair catches. Kickers will continue to kick from the 35-yard line, but the other 10 players must line up at the opponent’s 40-yard line. At least nine members of the return team will line up in the “setup zone” between their own 30- and 35-yard lines, and up to two returners will line up in the “landing zone” between the goal line and 20-yard line.
In 2012, college football moved touchback plays out to the 25 instead of the 20 to help create more touchbacks and less concussions, but return rates dropped drastically, down 18.3% to 58.1%, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
Then in 2018, the NCAA began allowing players to call for a fair catch inside the 25, decreasing the return rate down to 40.3%.
If this rule is implemented, we would see the number of returns rise significantly in college football. If that’s the case, and it’s done safely, then go ahead and sign me up.
