Eligible or ineligible receiver

[Mike Simonds]

I get asked this question at least once per season.

For the snap to be legal, the ball must immediately leave the hands of the snapper. This is a deadball foul as the ball can only become live by a legal snap or free kick.

As for the eligibility of the snapper, as long as the player has a legal position and a legal number then that player is an eligible receiver. Of course, you might have a different foul for illegal numbering at the snap (need 5 players numbered between 50-79 on their line at the snap; unless the scrimmage kick formation rule exception is in effect) or an illegal position at the snap foul.