The NCAA instituted some new rules this offseason, allowing coaches and players to communicate from the sidelines with the use of helmet communications in 2024.
That could seriously help some teams, with some more likely to benefit than others.
On3’s Andy Staples has one team in mind that stands to benefit the most from the new helmet technology, by virtue of its personnel on the coaching staff.
“Somebody asked me this a few weeks ago, Paul, and I thought this was a really interesting question,” Staples said on the Paul Finebaum Show. “What offenses stand to improve greatly now that the coach can talk to the quarterback directly, and not have to signal in? And I think Auburn is one of those.”
The Tigers were just so-so on offense in Freeze’s first season on the Plains, with questionable play at quarterback a big part of the issue. Auburn went back and forth from Payton Thorne to Robby Ashford, leaning most heavily on Thorne.
Could having a direct line of communication with Freeze help Thorne figure things out this fall.
“I think Hugh Freeze from the sideline, he’s back calling plays,” Staples said. “With him in the headset, whether it’s Payton Thorne or somebody else, I think that improves that offense.”
There’s another factor in the new helmet communications, too. A good rapport with a receiver can make a major difference, especially when things are being adjusted on the fly.
And Auburn might just have a guy that fits the bill, even if he’s a freshman.
“Everything I’ve heard about Cam Coleman, the freshman receiver, is that he is as advertised,” Staples said. “And I’m trying to think, when’s the last time Auburn had a truly dominant receiver? So if he’s as good as people think he’s gonna be — and look, he’s a freshman. So I’m not expecting right out of the gates dominance. But let’s say he grows into that during his career there. Like, what can this offense be?”
Pretty good, probably. But time will tell.
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