Naked Bootleg

A naked bootleg is a bootleg with no protector — the QB sells a run fake one direction, then rolls out the opposite way alone, looking for a misdirection throw. The 'naked' part is literal: there's no pulling lineman, no fullback, no tight end to block the backside edge.

It's the highest-risk, highest-reward play in the bootleg family. Sold well, the entire defense flows to the run fake and the backside edge defender gets out of position chasing the play. The QB has clean grass and a high-low concept (deep over, drag, flat) waiting for him on the rollout side.

Sold poorly, the QB is an unprotected target running away from his own offensive line. Most coaches install naked off a heavy run identity — outside zone teams (49ers, Rams) live in naked because the run threat sells it. Without that base, naked is a play call defenses know is coming, and the unprotected edge becomes a sack.