The NFL has released the names of 30 officials taking part in the 2017 Officiating Development Program. These officials work NFL training camp and preseason games. They then return to officiate in college. The officials are considered finalists once a spot on the roster opens up.
In addition, six CFL officials are taking part in the program.
The ODP officials are not part of the officials’ union and they cannot be hired mid-season to replace an injured official.
The following are the officials for the 2017 ODP program with ODP position, number (if known), years in the program and college conference they officiate in:
| Name | Yrs | Conference/league | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Carter | 1 | SEC | |||
| DJ | 136 | Maia Chaka | 4 | Conference USA | |
| SJ | 139 | Land Clark | 2 | Pac-12 | |
| Robin DeLorenzo | 1 | Conference USA | |||
| LJ | Tom Eaton | 1 | Conference USA | ||
| Ed Feaster | 1 | Big Ten | |||
| U | 145 | Marlow Fitzgerald | 3 | Mountain West | |
| Daniel Gautreaux | 2 | Conference USA | |||
| LJ | Quentin Givens | 3 | Big 12 | ||
| Chad Hill | 1 | SEC | |||
| FJ | Anthony Jeffries | 1 | SEC | ||
| Joe Johnston | 1 | Pac-12 | |||
| SJ | Nate Jones | 4** | Conference USA | ||
| FJ | 146 | Tony Josselyn | 2 | SEC | |
| Jacob Kemp | 2 | Mid American | |||
| Terry Killens | 4** | American Athletic | |||
| FJ | Justin Larrew | 2 | Conference USA | ||
| LJ | 144 | Kevin Mar | 4 | Pac-12 | |
| U | 152 | Mike Morton | 3* | ACC | |
| FJ | Justin Nelson | 2 | Pac-12 | ||
| LaShell Nelson | 2 | Conference USA | |||
| Robert Richeson | 1 | Big 12 | |||
| BJ | Jimmy Russell | 1 | SEC | ||
| Amanda Sauer | 1 | Mid American | |||
| Adam Savoie | 1 | American Athletic | |||
| U | Tab Slaughter | 2 | Big 12 | ||
| U | 150 | Chris Snead | 3 | SEC | |
| SJ | 164 | Frank Steratore | 2 | Big Ten | |
| Mark Stewart | 2 | Big 12 | |||
| SJ | 166 | Don Willard | 2 | Big Ten | |
| MJ | Brian Chrupalo | 1 | 🇨🇦 | CFL | |
| SJ | 167 | Dave Foxcroft | 2 | 🇨🇦 | CFL |
| MJ | Rob Hand | 1 | 🇨🇦 | CFL | |
| FJ | 170 | Dave Hawkshaw | 2 | 🇨🇦 | CFL |
| MJ | Jason Maggio | 1 | 🇨🇦 | CFL | |
| LJ | 168 | Justin McInnes | 2 | 🇨🇦 | CFL |
Former NFL players have been recruited under the Fast Track Officiating program (2012-2013) and Legends Officiating Development Program (2014-present). The number of development seasons includes those programs: *one season under FTO or LODP, **two seasons under FTO or LODP.
Four officials (Chaka, DeLorenzo, LaShell Nelson and Sauer) are women, a record number for the ODP. Four officials have relatives in the NFL. Justin Larrew is the son of Joe Larrew. Jacob Kemp is the brother of Alex and the son of the late Stan Kemp. Frank Steratore is the cousin of Gene and Tony, and Tab Slaughter is the son of the retired Gary Slaughter.
Also of note, Stewart and Richardson worked the National Championship game between Clemson and Alabama in January, Steratore worked the semifinal game at the Peach Bowl, and Hill officiated in the Orange Bowl.
Best wishes to the ODP officials and hopefully we’ll see them all added to the full-time roster in the coming years.
Cover photo: Amanda Sauer (ESPN)
Above photo: Land Clark (Getty Images)
Robert Richeson also worked the NC last year. Kevin Mar is now a PAC-12 Referee.
Thanks, James. Story updated.
There are some very qualified officials in this group who have worked hard to get where they are and deserve to be in the program. Congrat’s to them and best of luck. There a four or five that make you say WTH is going on today with officiating. Some of these official have never worked a FBS level game and suddenly they are part of the program. Based on what? Can’t be number of quality games worked or what they’ve accomplished on the field. The NFL is supposed to put the best of the best officials on the field, no matter who or what they are. Not sure that standard is being met. Also, the Conference USA staff must be one hellva staff! 5 ADP officials coming from that staff. I’m guessing they will be assigned the National Championship game this year, YEA RIGHT. Shame what has become of officiating in the name of PC. I can’t wait for one of them screw up a call at a NE Pats game or working at FAU and cost Butch or Lane a game. Oops there goes PC! GOOD LUCK TO ALL.
I think officiating is becoming a disgrace and we have Gerald Austin and Bill Carollo to thank for it. Amanda Sauer is awful. Her very first college game ever was on the FBS level. Nothing like working her way up and oh let’s not forget her family own’s 10% of the Pittsburgh Steelers with the Rooneys. Conflict? This girl has never had to work for anything and just leaped all officials year after year.
Then there’s the new girl Robin. She looks good on film, but she has a very long way to go. She’s been officiating for 2 years now and now she’s on the NFL list? I watched that girl work a D3 game where they dropped a pass in front of her, receiver picked it up off the ground and ran for a first down. She awarded the player a first down…..the funny thing is that these commissioners are protecting these women and with replay and headsets, it’s covers them even more.
I don’t care what race or gender you are, it must be equal and if you ask any coach, they just want the best on the field because their lively hood is based on wins and how they support their family.
GREAT read Mr. Anonymous. Austin is certainly at fault. He supposedly ‘trained’ ST and prepared her for the NFL and look how has that turned out? The two crews she has been on the last two years have performed terribly. Like I said, it is a shame what they are doing to officiating in the name of being PC! There was a picture posted a year or so ago with Billy B trying to teach ST what should be happening and I found it to be right on target.