College football changing target rule penalty
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Targeting penalties assessed in the second half of a game will no longer require the offending player to sit out the first half of his team's next game, offensive pass interference will become a 10-yard penalty and the little-used fair catch kick will be introduced to college football.
Those are among the changes for the 2026 season, the National Football Foundation announced Tuesday in its annual summary of rules changes.
The targeting penalty change will be an experimental rule for 2026. A player disqualified for targeting for the first time in the season may participate in the following game. The trial rule will apply regardless of which half the targeting penalty is called.
A player who draws his second targeting penalty of the season will be required to miss the first half of the next game. A player who draws his third targeting of the season must sit out the full following game.
A conference can choose to initiate an appeals process after a player's second targeting penalty. The appeal would be sent to the NCAA national coordinator of football officials for a video review. If the appeal is successful, the player would not be forced to sit out the first half of the following game.
Other changes include:
– The penalty for offensive pass interference is being adjusted from 15 yards to 10 yards. The rules reserve 15-yard penalties primarily for personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct. Defensive pass interference will remain a spot foul, with a maximum of a 15-yard penalty.
– In a change to align Division I rules with those in the NFL and high school, a team could choose to attempt a fair catch kick after a completed or awarded fair catch. The kick would be a place kick with a holder or a drop kick from the spot where the returner caught the ball. The defense would be at least 10 yards from the spot of the kick.
If the ensuing kick goes through the uprights, it would be worth three points.
The rarely used play last came up in the NFL in 2024 when the Los Angeles Chargers' Cameron Dicker converted from 57 yards against the Denver Broncos.
– An automatic unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be called if a player initiates any of these five actions or gestures: any act of simulating the brandishing of a weapon; slashing of the throat or a nose wipe signal; removing helmet after the ball is dead (with exceptions for timeouts and equipment adjustments); dead-ball contact fouls, such as pushing, shoving, striking, etc., that occur clearly after the ball is dead and that are not part of the game action; using forcible contact to push or pull an opponent off the pile after the ball is dead.
– The head coach will now have two replay challenges per game. If a coach wins at least one of their first two challenges, they are awarded a third challenge. A challenge can be made only if the team has a timeout remaining and available; if the challenge is successful, the team's timeout will not be charged.
– Coach-to-player communications through the helmet is now permissible for all NCAA divisions. … Helmet attachments (e.g., Guardian Cap, SAFR Helmet Cover) that enhance player safety are allowed. All helmets, with or without the attachment, must be of the same color and design. … Up to two sponsor patches are allowed on the jersey, with conference approval. A third patch is allowed in conference championship or postseason games. Logos may not exceed 4 square inches. One commercial logo, not to exceed 4 square inches, is permitted on the helmet.
Six is the number
The following is a list of the top 6 transfers according to the Associated Press this season.
The list includes:
Texas WR Cam Coleman (Auburn)
Coleman was rated as the nation's No. 3 overall prospect in his high school class by 247Sports. He caught 93 passes for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons at Auburn without getting the chance to play for a quarterback the caliber of Texas' Arch Manning. Coleman gained attention on social media last weekend when Texas posted a video of him making a phenomenal catch in practice.
Indiana QB Josh Hoover (TCU)
Hoover takes over for Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to a national title before going to the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick in the draft. Hoover, a three-year starter at TCU, has thrown for 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns with 33 interceptions. Hoover headlines a noteworthy Indiana transfer portal class, as he will be throwing to former Michigan State receiver Nick Marsh and will be handing the ball off to ex-Boston College running back Turbo Richard.
LSU QB Sam Leavitt (Arizona State)
Leavitt helped Arizona State earn a playoff berth in 2024 before a foot injury limited him to seven games last season. Leavitt, who began his career at Michigan State, has completed 61.4% of his career passes for 4,652 yards with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also has rushed for 816 yards and 10 touchdowns. Leavitt will be working behind a line that includes Jordan Seaton, a former five-star recruit who started 22 games at left tackle for Colorado the last two seasons.
Miami QB Darian Mensah (Duke)
After leading Duke to an Atlantic Coast Conference title, Mensah entered the portal and joined a conference rival that played for the national championship last season. This is Mensah's third school in as many years, as he played for Tulane in 2024. Mensah has been productive at each of his stops and has completed 66.5% of his career passes. He threw for 3,973 yards with 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions at Duke after accumulating 2,723 yards passing with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions at Tulane.
Oregon S Koi Perich (Minnesota)
Perich was an Associated Press first-team all-Big Ten selection in 2024 and a second-team pick last season. He had 82 tackles for Minnesota a year ago. He's also versatile enough to contribute on offense and special teams. During the 2024 season, Perich became the first Bowl Subdivision freshman since 1976 to intercept five passes while also collecting over 100 punt return yards and 100 kick return yards.
BYU LB Cade Uluave (Cal)
Uluave comes to BYU after compiling 100 tackles -- 12 for loss -- at Cal last season. He earned second-team AP all-ACC honors and was a first-team selection on the all-ACC team put together by the league itself. Uluave totaled 237 tackles -- 21 ½ for loss -- to go along with six sacks and three interceptions in three seasons at Cal.
Elsewhere:
– Penn State senior tight end Benjamin Brahmer was tabbed to the Lombardi Award Watch List, while junior offensive Cooper Cousins was named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list on Tuesday. Cousins was already named an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee in July. The Lombardi Award, established in 1970, was presented to an outstanding lineman who best epitomizes the values of leadership, courage, performance and discipline on and off the field. The Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.
– Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel was named to the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. Widely regarded as college football's premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recognizes an FBS player who combines exemplary service with leadership and achieveWatch list. Heintschel's selection follows the launch of his "Have a Heart" campaign, an initiative benefiting the Heart Institute at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Throughout the 2026 season, the campaign will raise awareness and funds to advance care for children with heart conditions while supporting their families.