College football will soon use sideline electronics.
College football teams will be permitted to utilize new technology to enable video playback on the sideline and helmet communication with quarterbacks as part of rule revisions set to take effect for the 2024 season. These improvements were applied at the NFL level in recent years and tested in a few bowl games last season.
BYU, like all Big 12 teams, will use Microsoft Surface tablets on the sidelines to review film. If a quarterback throws an interception or a defensive back misses an assignment, the player will be able to review the play from the sideline. If you’ve been watching NFL games in recent years, you’ll notice that this is a prevalent practice, particularly among quarterbacks.
Teams that capitalize on new technologies will have an advantage in terms of in-game adjustments in 2024.
This isn’t the only rule change coming to college football. On the field, quarterbacks will be able to communicate directly through their helmets. Offensive coordinators will be able to call their plays directly to quarterbacks, who will then transmit the playcall to the rest of the field. Gone are the days of hand gestures and indications between each play. It would not be shocking if more players huddled to avoid communication breakdowns and the potential of enemy teams stealing signs.
During spring training, BYU’s offensive coordinator, Aaron Roderick, pioneered direct helmet communication.
