Official rules noted below. Two types of targeting. One type requires forcible contact with the crown of the helmet (Rule 9-1-3). However, the second type, with respect to a defenseless player, does not require that forcible contact be made with the crown of the helmet (Rule 9-1-4).
If I were to make a case that this was not targeting, I'd say that the "indicators" of targeting (see Note 1 below), requires that the forcible contact "goes beyond making a legal tackle" and the Texas defender is simply running to make a tackle, and the helmet-to-helmet contact is not caused by a launch, crouch, or lowering of the head. Instead, it is simply caused by nature of the players being similar heights and colliding.
However, I think this is targeting because the way the rule is written suggests that any "forcible" contact to the head / neck area of a defenseless is, by default, illegal. Thus, when a defender is dealing with a defenseless player, the defender has an affirmative duty to not make any forcible contact in that area. In this instance, that suggests that the only way the Texas defender could make a "forcible" that is legal is if he hits the WR in the chest or lower. Moreover, Rule 9-1-4 specifies that "[w]hen in question, it is a foul" which tips the scales in favor of these kind of hits being called targeting.
With all that said, if I were drafting the rules, I would not want this kind of play to result in targeting. As written, this rule suggests that the Texas defender should just dive at the knees of the defenseless player, which can be even more dangerous. I think it is a fool's errand to try to eliminate all helmet to helmet hits. The Texas defender executed a pretty good form tackle and wrapped up the WR with his arms. That is different than launching your shoulder or head at a defenseless player to try to get them on the ground with sheer force of the collision.
Source:
https://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/FR24_20240724.pdf
RULE 9-1-3.
Targeting and Making Forcible Contact With the Crown of the Helmet
ARTICLE 3 No player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown of their helmet The crown of the helmet is the top segment of the helmet; namely, the circular area defined by a 6-inch radius from the apex (top) of the helmet This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (
See Note 1 below) When in question, it is a foul (Rule9-6) (AR 9-1-3-I).
RULE 9-1-4.
Targeting and Making Forcible Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player
ARTICLE 4 No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent (
See Note 2 below) with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (
See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul (Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6) (AR 9-1-4-I-VI).
Note 1: “Targeting” means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:
- Launch A player leaving their feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area
- A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground
- Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area
- Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet
Note 2: Defenseless player (Rule 2-27-14) When in question, a player is defenseless. Examples of defenseless players include but are not limited to:
- A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass This includes an offensive player in a passing posture with focus downfield
- A receiver attempting to catch a forward pass or in position to receive a backward pass, or one who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect themselves or has not clearly become a ball carrier
- A kicker in the act of or just after kicking a ball, or during the kick or the return
- A kick returner attempting to catch or recover a kick, or one who has completed a catch or recovery and has not had time to protect themselves or has not clearly become a ball carrier
- A player on the ground
- A player obviously out of the play
- A player who receives a blind-side block
- A ball carrier already in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress has been stopped
- A quarterback any time after a change of possession
- A ball carrier who has obviously given themselves up and is sliding feet first
