NFL names 39 officials to 2018 Officiating Development Program

Getty Images The NFL saw four of its head referees and 10 officials in total retire this offseason.
The league continually needs to find referees capable of handling the professional game to take over when such retirements that place.
As part of the NFL’s Officiating Development Program, the league brings in several officials from the college ranks and Canadian Football League each offseason to work offseason practices and preseason games in hopes of finding their next batch of referees.
This year, the NFL has named 39 officials to their development program: Cravonne Barrett, LOS, PAC-12 Grantis Bell, DF, SEC Joe Blubaugh, DF, Big XII Wes Booker, DF, SEC Sebrina Brunson, LOS, SWAC James Carter, R/DF, SEC Max Causey, LOS, C-USA Brandon Cruse, R/LOS, Big XII Raymond Daniel, DF, Big 10 Robin DeLorenzo, LOS, MAC Mike Dolce, LOS, Big 10 Tom Eaton, LOS, C-USA Ed Feaster, U, Big 10 Anthony Flemming, DF, Big XII Glen Fucik, DF, SEC Martin Hankins, DF, SEC Dave Hawkshaw, DF, CFL Jeff Heaser, R/DF, ACC Patrick Holt, LOS, Big 10 Jacques Hooper, DF, ACC Nate Jones, DF, PAC-12 Terry Killens, U, American Frank LeBlanc, LOS, Big XII Chad Lorance, LOS, SEC Ritchie Miller, DF, CFL Justin Nelson, DF, PAC-12 LaShell Nelson, DF, C-USA Maurice Pierre, DF, C-USA Clay Reynard, DF, PAC-12 Robert Richeson, U, Big XII Jimmy Russell, DF, SEC Adam Savoie, R/LOS, American Robert Skaggs, DF, CFL Tab Slaughter, U, Big XII Frank Steratore, DF, Big 10 Tripp Sutter, LOS, Big 10 William Thomas, U, American Tom Vallesi, DF, CFL Lo van Pham, DF, Big XII Officials taking part in the program attend the NFL’s annual preseason officiating clinic, take part in mini-camp and training camp practices, work preseason games and college All-Star games such as the Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine Game of NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
They are evaluated throughout the various stages to determine whether ready to move into NFL roles, need some more development or aren’t suitable to become NFL officials.