What’s New in 2026? NCAA Unveils Rule Changes Impacting Targeting, Fair Catch Kicks

OXFORD — Just when it feels like you’ve got the rulebook figured out, the NCAA goes and rewrites parts of it again.

College football will look a little different in 2026 after the NCAA approved a new set of rule changes this past week, headlined by a long-awaited overhaul to the targeting penalty. But that’s only part of the story. From a confusing new fair catch kick rule to tweaks in pass interference and unsportsmanlike conduct, the latest updates bring a mix of clarity, complexity, and a few head-scratchers along the way.

Targeting

The main rule change is with respect to the targeting penalty. The NCAA Division I FBS Oversight Committee approved changes to the penalty structure for a one-year trial rule during the 2026 season, the group announced this past Thursday.

In the past, targeting was a one-size-fits-all penalty, meaning that a player had to miss four quarters no matter what. In reality, not every targeting is made equally, and some of them are lesser penalties than others. Fans and media pundits alike clamored for a change to the penalty structure so that it is not nearly as harsh as it was.

The NCAA has now changed the penalty to a tiered system. On the first offense, a player will now only miss the game they are currently in, no matter at what point in the game the penalty occurs. This means if a player gets a targeting penalty in the fourth quarter, he will only miss that quarter and nothing else. He won’t miss any time in his next game.

The structure changes somewhat on a second offense, as a player will be required to miss the first half of the next game as well, once again, regardless of when the penalty occurs.

On a third targeting offense, of which there were zero last year, a player must miss the entirety of the next game, regardless of how much of the current game they would miss.

As has been the case since 2022, conferences can appeal the first two offenses and get the calls overturned. This was a much-needed change, as it led to some very strange situations, like in the National Championship when a Miami cornerback had to miss the first half in the biggest game of the year.

Fair Catch Kick

The next rule change is one that caused a ton of confusion online. The fair catch kick is something that is currently a rule in the NFL as well. The wording of this rule is, admittedly, very confusing. I sat and stared at the verbiage for a solid hour, just trying to understand what the rule actually is.

Essentially, the wording is very confusing for what the rule actually is. In an end of the half or game scenario, if the receiving team calls a fair catch, they have the opportunity to kick the ball to get three points. In the past, a strategy for teams late in games has been to punt the ball away late in their own end zone, not giving the other team enough time to do anything. This essentially negates that and gives the receiving team a chance to kick a field goal.

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.

Unsportsmanlike conduct

Some further direction for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties also has been issued. 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

Similarly, offensive pass interference was also adjusted. Previously it was a 15-yard penalty, it has now been changed to a 10-yard penalty. This was not the pass interference change I was expecting, as I thought they might change DPI to a spot foul. I like this change as it does, in my opinion, set itself up to eventually change the DPI penalty.

Uniform rules not approved

There was only one rule that was rejected, and it is perhaps the most inconsequential one that I have ever seen. The rejection was to a rule change that would require players to wear leg sleeves, the same thing that exists in the NFL. With this being rejected, the short shorts live on, at least for one more year. These rules, while not game changing, should have a positive impact on the game and could easily be adjusted as soon as next year.