Editing Eligible receiver (section)

==College football==
The [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] rulebook defines eligible receivers for [[college football]] in Rule 7, Section 3, Article 3.<ref name="NCAA Rulebook">{{cite web |url=https://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf |title=2006 NCAA Football Rules and Interpretations |publisher=NCAA |date=July 2006 |access-date=2007-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061101001037/http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf |archive-date=November 1, 2006}}</ref> The determining factors are the player's position on the field at the [[Snap (gridiron football)|snap]] and their [[uniform number (American football)|jersey number]]. Specifically, any players on offense wearing numbers between 50 and 79 are always ineligible. All defensive players are eligible receivers and offensive players who are not wearing an ineligible number are eligible receivers if they meet one of the following three criteria:
* Player is at either end of the group of players on the [[line of scrimmage]] ([[wide receiver]]s and [[tight end]]s)
* Player is lined up at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage ([[running back]]s, [[fullback (American football)|fullback]]s, slot receivers, [[American football positions#Offense|etc.]])
* Player is positioned to receive a hand-to-hand snap from the center (almost always the [[quarterback]])

Players may only wear eligible numbers at an ineligible position when it is obvious that a [[Punt (gridiron football)|punt]] or [[field goal (American football)|field goal]] is to be attempted.

If a player is to change between eligible and ineligible positions, they must physically change jersey numbers to reflect the position.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/01/watch_baylors_390-pound_linema.html |title=Watch Baylor's 390-pound lineman LaQuon McGowan catch TD pass in Cotton Bowl against Michigan State |publisher=Alabama Media Group |work=AL.com |date=January 1, 2015 |access-date=February 1, 2015 |author=Stephenson, Creg}}</ref>

A receiver loses his eligibility by leaving the field of play unless he was forced out by a defensive player and immediately attempts to get back inbounds (Rule 7–3–4). All players on the field become eligible as soon as the ball is touched by a defensive player or an official during play (Rule 7–3–5).