The NCAA is reportedly tightening restrictions on uniforms and player dress code specifics ahead of the 2018 college football season.

Several programs, including Middle Tennessee State, have released graphics of the NCAA's expected changes, though the sport's governing body hasn't yet released its new rules, officially.

The NCAA's crackdown is explained in three phases — alterations to jersey, equipment and base layers apparel for safety reasons. Players are no longer allowed to wear their jersey above the stomach and jerseys must cover the waist — essentially the Ezekiel Elliott rule — while backplates used to protect the spine area must be covered.

In the past, skill players have often rolled their jersey over the top of an exposed back plate for improved flexibility and flow of movement. That is now a violation of equipment code, as well as an untucked undershirt or base layer performance top protruding from the uniform.

But the primary shift geared toward player safety is the NCAA's new knee pad rule, one that likely won't sit well with players. Knee pads must now stretch below the knee, which could make change of direction difficult for some.

None of the knee can be exposed and must be protected by pad, pant and sock, according to the NCAA's graphical description.

These new apparel-based rules will likely be discussed in the coming weeks at conference media days during the summer season. The NCAA's head of officiating hasn't yet commented on the changes or how it may affect play in 2018.

This comes on the heels of the NCAA's rule changes for next season, including the introduction of pace of play and updated fair catch guidelines on kickoffs. After touchdowns and field goals, a 40-second clock will start. The old rule provided a 25-second clock starting on the referee's ready signal. Players are also allowed to fair catch a kickoff inside the 25-yard line and automatically start at the 25, no matter where the football was caught.

We'll see a decrease in overall kickoff return attempts with this field position addition.

A significant change is a 40-second clock starting immediately after a kickoff. Previously, teams had a chance to huddle on the sideline before the official's signal. Now, that opportunity is greatly reduced unless the game is televised and a TV timeout comes into effect.

The leaping rule hasn't changed, but has been clarified. If you leap over the box of a player — imagine a box created by the hips and shoulders of the lineman — it is a foul, but if you leap in the gap between two players, it is legal. This is sometimes called in punting situations when a player attempting a block tries to wedge himself between linemen with a well-timed leap.