NCAA to review controversial college football rule for huge changes

by February 23, 2026

written by February 23, 2026

The college football offseason overall is pretty quiet this time of year. In 2026, it has been a little bit louder with recent court rulings and ongoing battles.

This is also the time, however, that the NCAA works with college football programs to make changes to the game. Most recently, the running clock rule was changed, and a two-minute warning was also added.

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The NCAA is looking to make a big change to a controversial college football rule: targeting. Targeting, of course, is when a player leads with the crown of their head for intentional contact with another player’s head or neck area.

A mouthguard flies through the air after Georgia defensive back JaCorey Thomas (20) hits Ole Miss wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) to the ground during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34. Thomas was called for targeting and ejected from the game.

The rule’s purpose is understandable. They want to protect all players from unnecessary hits and also protect those who tend to deliver those hits.

What makes things controversial is the review, execution, and punishment of targeting. It can be difficult to determine if targeting in college football is malicious in nature or not intentional.

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The punishment is ejection and can also roll over into the next game for those penalized. The NCAA is reportedly aiming to change at least the rollover suspension aspect of targeting.

Nov 16, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston College Eagles defensive back Khari Johnson (3) commits a targeting penalty against Pittsburgh Panthers tight end Malcolm Epps (7) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

This is a relatively big step in addressing the difficult call to make in targeting. While some calls are very obvious–one way or another–it is still also difficult for other calls.

Could the NCAA eventually change the punishment of targeting altogether? It’s a long shot at this moment, but it might be on its way to big changes.