As the 2025 college football season inches closer and closer, fans across the country aren't aware of several key rule changes that will take effect this fall.
Along with the NCAA Rules Committee, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame have once again partnered with College Football Officiating (CFO) to address some of the biggest issues from last season. Every college football fan needs to know about the following rules that will be in place for the 2025 season.
Faking Injuries
This is something all too familiar to college football fans. To combat the practice of feigning injuries, the NCAA Rules Committee has stated that if a player "present as injured" after the ball is spotted by officials, that team will be charged a timeout. If that team is out of timeouts, the team will be assessed a delay of game penalty. Furthermore, the "injured" player must stay out of the game for at least one snap, even if a timeout is called. The player cannot return to play until receiving the approval of professional medical personnel.
Overtime Timeouts
Like last season, both teams will have one timeout per overtime period for the first two overtimes. New this season, once the third overtime comes and the dueling two-point conversions begin, each team will now have one timeout for the rest of the game. TV timeouts will only take place during the first two overtime periods.
Instant Replay - Referee Announcements
When making announcements that a play being reviewed will not be overturned, the terms "confirmed" and "stands" are being replaced by "upheld."
"T" Signals on Kick-Offs
The "T" signal of kick-off returns evolved as a signal to alert teammates that a kick returner was not going to return the kick. Now, if a player make a "T" signal on kicks, there will automatically be no return.
Pre-Snap Movement
Within one yard of the line of scrimmage, defensive linemen cannot make any quick, abrupt, or exaggerated movements in an effort to interfere with offensive snap calls. The NCAA Rules Committee stated that this will continue to be a point of emphasis in 2025.
Disconcerting Signals
Defensive players are not allowed to use any words or signals trying to simulate offensive signals. In other words, no defensive player can simulate the sound or cadence of offensive players.
Defensive Substitutions
To Dan Lanning's dismay, the defense may not have more than 11 players on the field when the ball is snapped. Now, the infraction is considered a live-ball foul, and a five-yard penalty will be assessed. The offense has the option to reset the game clock back to the time displayed at the snap, with the game clock restarting on the following snap.
Eye shields
Visors may no longer be tinted. Any company producing visors must submit visors that are clear, not tinted, and made from molded or rigid materials to the NCAA for approval.
Defenseless Players
Any player attempting to recover a loose ball or a fumble is now considered a defenseless player.
Automatic Unsportsmanlike Penalty
Any player who simulates brandishing a weapon on the field will automatically be given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.