The current hot topic in the sports world is the recent rule changes approved by the National Football League earlier this week during owners’ meetings.
Starting in 2024, the league bans the hip tackle, in which a player uses his weight to bring the ball carrier to the ground by his waist. The NFL is also revamping the kickoff format, adopting an XFL variation.
Kickers will continue to kick from the 35-yard line, but the other 10 players on the kicking team will line up at the opponent’s 40-yard line. At least nine members of the returning team will line up in the staging area between their own 30 and 35 yard lines. Up to two returners will line up in the touchdown zone, which is between the goal line and the 20-yard line.
Here’s a diagram to help you visualize the new NFL kickoff:
The new era of kickoffs pic.twitter.com/oweXlx4Jj1
-Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) March 26, 2024
While this is obviously an NFL topic, it’s not hard to envision a future where these changes trickle down to the college level. Earlier this week I spoke on the “Sco-ing Long” podcast with my co-host Jonathan Stewart, an Oregon legend and former Pro Bowl running back with the Carolina Panthers, to get his perspective on the changes.
“First of all, I understand. But what are we doing here? Are we becoming the XFL? » said Stewart. “I understand it from the perspective that there was this dead product on the field on kickoff returns. Everyone was kicking him out of the end zone. The problem is that it will now be more difficult for the kickoff unit to stop the kickoff return. It should be difficult to get first downs. It should be difficult to gain yards. It should be difficult to score points. Now you take the defensive element out of the game.”
Ultimately, we will likely see an increase in production from an offensive standpoint, not only due to kickoff rules leading to better field position, but also due to the ban hip tackle that has led to injuries over the years.
The NFL banned hip-drop tackles this week in hopes of improving player safety.
This might be a step too far, says @Jonathanstewart1
“It’s part of the game.” pic.twitter.com/8dvQAKRO0K
-Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) March 27, 2024
Personally, I don’t know if this is a bad thing, as kickoffs have become irrelevant over the years. It was a touchback every time, causing viewers to log off after a touchdown and go get refreshments or use the restroom. I don’t know if I’m completely against that. It will take a little time to get used to the way it looks and see where these guys line up now, but the final product could see a marked improvement.
If we see this improvement at the NFL level, how long will it be before we see changes at the college level?
“If this persists for 2-3 years in the NFL, I can definitely see him transferring,” Stewart said.
For those who aren’t excited about the potential change, I don’t think you have anything to worry about for the next couple of years. At this point, it seems the college football world has had enough, from the name, image and likeness, to the transfer portal and conference realignment, to the ever-expanding College Football Playoff. It is possible that the bandwidth simply is not currently available to implement these new rules in a timely manner.
But in a few years? Things may look different.
