Legal, Illegal, Deceptive, or any combo of the 3?

[Scooby]

If the official catches this before the snap it can also be an Illegal Subsitution (NFHS). Right?

[Dakota]

From the Clemson-South Carolina game this past Saturday:

Junior receiver Jacoby Ford joined two teammates jogging to the sideline, then bent down to pretend to tie his shoes. Receivers coach Jeff Scott played the part, barking at Ford nearby as if he was chewing him out.

The signal was sent in — all was a go to run a trick play Clemson aptly named “Cock-a-doodle-doo” when installing it this past week.

... the result was a 50-yard touchdown catch by Ford that put Clemson ahead 17-0 with 8:33 remaining in the second quarter.

“I hadn’t seen that one since I ran it at Gaffney High School with the junior varsity,” USC defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. “And we scored on it, too.”

Ford went undetected along the left sideline and ran downfield uncovered at the snap.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Scooby

If the official catches this before the snap it can also be an Illegal Subsitution (NFHS). Right?

REPLY: No, because there are only 11 on the field. The dead ball substitution infraction is for a replaced player not leaving the field immediately (meaning there are more than 11 on the field and no one attempting to get off). This guy's a player--not a replaced player.