NFHS Receiver Eligibility

[Logan521489]

I've reffed with several officials that can't seem to agree on the attached screenshot. Per NFHS is 5 ineligible due to 9 being on the line or is he eligible due to 2 big off the line. In the NFL I know 5 would be ineligible but need clarification for highschool.

Thanks!

[attachment deleted by admin]

[HLinNC]

5 is on the line and covered by 9 so he is not an end and he is not a back, so he is not an eligible receiver by position.

Not sure what is so hard to decipher about that.  What possibly could they be disagreeing with?


Backs and ends are eligible, unless they are wearing an ineligible number.

[Logan521489]

So if a tight end was lined up on the line of scrimmage he would be eligible? Would he not be covered by nine as well?

[js in sc]

So if a tight end was lined up on the line of scrimmage he would be eligible? Would he not be covered by nine as well?

I think you are confusing your terms.  Remember, an "end" needs to be on the end of the line.  If there is someone on the line outside of him, he (your tight end) becomes an interior lineman.  We frequently put names on players which are not within the definitions. 
Only players in the backfield and on the end of the line are eligible to catch a pass, and only if they are numbered 1-49 and 80-99. 
In your figure, it also says the opposite tackle can be eligible.  True, but you can only be eligible on the end of the line if numbered correctly.  Technically, he is an end but not eligible unless he is numbered correctly and another player on the line is numbered 50-79 giving a total of 5 appropriately numbered linemen.

[HLinNC]

In your figure, it also says the opposite tackle can be eligible.

I didn't want to get too far into the weeds with this since the wording also mentioned Clemson and I'm not up as much on NCAA as I used to be.

I would say this, if the term "tight end" is throwing you Logan, you need to get into reading Rule 2.  There are football rule definitions and then there are generic football terms.  i.e. Center is a generic term, snapper is defined rule term.

End (or actually end of the line) is defined.  Tight end is a generic position term.

[Snapper]

I didn't want to get too far into the weeds with this since the wording also mentioned Clemson and I'm not up as much on NCAA as I used to be.

clipped...

You're good here.  NCAA is the same as NFHS on this formation.

The eligible receivers are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9.  The right end is eligible by position, but he would need an eligible number as well.  And if he does have an eligible number on, then it's an illegal formation because they wouldn't have five 50-79.

So, same as NFHS.