Changes to penalty structure for targeting in DI football approved

For the 2026 season, the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee on Thursday approved a one-year trial rule to modify the penalty structure when players are penalized for targeting.

Under the rule, a player disqualified for targeting for the first time during the season, regardless of which half it occurs, may participate in the next game.

Any player disqualified for targeting a second time during the season will be required to miss the first half of the next game. If a player is disqualified for a third targeting penalty during the season, the player will be required to miss the entire next game. No players were disqualified for targeting three times in the 2025 season.

A conference has the option to initiate an appeals process after a player's second targeting offense. The appeal, which can cover the first and second targeting offenses, would be sent to the NCAA national coordinator of football officials, who would then facilitate a video review.

If the call is overturned on appeal, the player will be able to play without sitting out the first half of the next game.  

Previously, players disqualified for targeting would be disqualified for the remainder of that game, and if the foul occurred in the second half, the player would sit the first half of the next game. 

Since the 2022 season, conference offices have been allowed to appeal second-half targeting disqualifications to the NCAA national coordinator of officials in hopes of having the call overturned so the player would not have to miss the first half of the next game.

Fair catch kick 

Under another rule approved Thursday by the oversight committee, a team can choose to attempt a kick after a completed or awarded fair catch. The kick will be a field goal place kick with a holder (no tee) or a drop kick from the spot where the returner caught the ball.

If the ensuing kick goes through the uprights, it will add 3 points to that team's total. The defense is required to be at least 10 yards from the spot of the kick.

This rule further aligns Division I with similar rules that exist in NFL and high school football.

Other rule changes approved

• On punts where jersey number exceptions (players who do not wear numbers 50-79) are used, the snapper and two adjacent linemen on either side who are lined up in (or touching) the tackle box are ineligible receivers by position and become exceptions to the numbering rule when the snapper takes his position. This clarifies which players are eligible receivers in the formation.
• While the Division I Football Rules Subcommittee is comfortable with the administration of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, the oversight committee approved clarifying the rule to give on-field officials guidance to align with the current game. Officials will focus on unsportsmanlike conduct where a player taunts an opponent; actions that interfere with game administration; and celebrations found demeaning to the game or opponent.
• Offensive pass interference penalties will be 10 yards. Previously, the penalty for offensive pass interference was 15 yards.

Uniforms

The oversight committee did not approve a proposal that would have required players to wear leg coverings from the top of their shoes to the bottom of their pants.