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The NCAA announced Thursday that college football kickoffs will be moved from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line starting next season.
The move, designed to encourage more touchbacks and reduce potential injuries, comes after the NFL made a similar adjustment to kickoffs in 2011.
Kicking teams also will be prohibited from having a running head start of more than five yards.
"The recommended changes came from the Football Rules Committee after that group examined NCAA data showing that injuries during kickoffs occur more often than in other phases of the game," read a statement issued by the NCAA.
Touchbacks on kickoffs also have been moved from the 20-yard line to the 25-yard line, while touchbacks on other plays -- punts into the end zone or fumbles out of the back of the end zone -- will continue to be placed at the 20-yard line.
Another change to the rules will require that players sit out at least one play if their helmet comes off during action on the field.
