Illegal Formation, TE covered

[will27]

I saw this called multiple times on Saturday and Sunday. I also see a lot of confused/confusing
interpretations.

For the sake of brevity, I think these cover the main questions fans have regarding the rule:


1. If the tight end/eligible receiver just stays in to block, why the penalty?
2. How does the rule comport with allowing more that seven players on the LOS?
3. Is the second part of this statement true:
    "In the NFL, the formation is illegal if a TE is covered up, or if a lineman who has not
    reported as eligible is uncovered."
4. Is the rule the same for college and pro?

[Kalle]

NFL has very strict numbering requirements. If a player wearing an ineligible number (50-79) lines up in any eligible position (ends of line or backfield) without reporting to the referee, it is a foul. Similarily, if a player wearing an eligible number lines up on the line between the ends, it is a foul. Most often you see the TE accidentally covered by the WR, although there was just now a play where a 50-79 numbered player had reported and was covered up by a WR.

1. No idea for the reason.
2. You can have more than seven player on the LOS if all interior linemen are wearing 50-79 or have reported.
3. Yes.
4. No. In NCAA the requirement is to have at least five players wearing 50-79 anywhere on the line, no requirement for the backfield or ends of line, and players wearing 50-79 cannot report to the referee to be eligible receivers.

[APG]

Kalle has it right:

Simply put, save for scrimmage kicks, eligible players by number must be in eligible positions, and illegible players by numbers must in an ineligible position...the only work around this is by reporting as eligible or ineligible (yes they can do this as well).

This requirement for being in the correct position is true for any and all shifts before the snap.

[bossman72]

I believe the reasoning for this is because if you are a defensive back and you see an eligible number lined up as TE, you don't know whether he's covered up or not.  Therefore, you will line up to cover him even though you don't have to.  This shifts defensive alignment.