CFB Notebook: NCAA rule places limits on headsets

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel passed a new rule Friday limiting the number of headsets a team can use during a game to 20. The rule is designed to structure how many communications devices can be used at any one time. Broken down, 15 headsets can be used by a coaching staff, four by players to communicate with coaches, and one by any non-coach on a team's staff (such as one charting plays). In addition to the 20, any headsets used for medical purposes or game operations or any other non-game-related use can be used. Also, one communication technician in the team area and another in the coaches' booth are permitted to monitor coaching headsets for any technical problems. -- Alabama will hire Bob Welton as director of player personnel, according to multiple reports. Welton was hired as Nebraska's recruiting operations director when Scott Frost was named coach at the end of last season. He previously worked at Tennessee. But Welton reportedly is headed back to the SEC. "We're comfortable with the direction we're headed with the position," a Nebraska spokesperson told the Lincoln Journal-Star when asked about Welton leaving for Alabama. While at Tennessee, Welton worked under then-coach Butch Jones, who was hired by Alabama as an analyst. Joey Wright, Alabama's former director of player personnel, left the program to be UAB's offensive line coach. ---Former Kentucky linebacker Denzil Ware announced on his Twitter account that he will transfer to FCS school Jacksonville State. Since Ware is transferring as a graduate, he will not have to sit out a season. Ware announced more than a week ago that he planned to transfer out of Kentucky. In three seasons, Ware started 30 games for the Wildcats. However, he started only six last season as a redshirt junior. Ware was second on the team last year with nine tackles for loss and third with 6.5 sacks. ---South Dakota State quarterback Alec Cromer is transferring to Nebraska as a walk-on punter. "I'll be walking on at Nebraska," Cromer told Husker Online. "I've been talking with (coach Scott) Frost about it. I plan to walk on as a punter." Cromer is a native of Nebraska and played quarterback and punter in high school but was not seriously recruited by any FBS college. He averaged 43.2 yards per punt in high school, according to Husker Online. Despite transferring from an FCS school, Cromer must still sit out a season because of NCAA transfer rules. He will have two years of eligibility beginning in 2019.