Alabama DC Kane Wommack looking to leverage a new rule change through a game of: 'Cat & mouse'
College football is continuing to change at a rapid rate. NIL, pay for play, the transfer portal, the sport looks entirely different than it did even a decade ago. And while we can debate what changes are good and bad, one new rule is undoubtedly better for everyone on defense, and Alabama Crimson Tide DC […]
College football is continuing to change at a rapid rate.
NIL, pay for play, the transfer portal, the sport looks entirely different than it did even a decade ago.
And while we can debate what changes are good and bad, one new rule is undoubtedly better for everyone on defense, and Alabama Crimson Tide DC Kane Wommack knows it:
Helmet Mics A Game of Cat & Mouse
“It will be a cat and mouse game,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack told reporters when asked about a defender being allowed to have a mic in their helmet. “I’m excited to see how to navigate that. I want to stay ahead of the curve.”
College football is way behind here, as the NFL allows both QBs and one defensive player, usually the middle linebacker to have direct communication with the defensive coordinator before every snap. This player on defense is often referred to as the Green Dot seeing as he has the mic. So far, Deonte Lawson has been Alabama's green dot through this portion of fall camp.
Earlier this year, the NCAA gave the green light to helmet communication for players and coaches to communicate for the 2024 season. A coach will be able to talk with one player on the field. They can talk until 15 seconds remain on the play clock. Or, the mic shuts off the minute the play starts. – Nick Kelly, Alabama.com
“You could write a book on the headset communication and how different that is from where we were with signaling to where we are now,” Wommack added. “I think you’re going to see all things over the spectrum. You’re going to see some people that still do all the signaling and you’re going to see some people who are going to try to go exclusively to the headset communication.”
The reason why Wommack called the new rule a game of cat and mouse and referenced signaling against headset communication is because of the 15-second rule.
If the opposing offense decides to audible within 15 seconds of the play clock, the communication is now cut off and signals would be the only way to realign the defense in time.
Either way, it's another interesting wrinkle to a sea of changes for the Tide this offseason.
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