How Many Referees Are Needed for a College Football Game?

Most college football games require seven officials on the field. The standard NCAA officiating crew includes:

• Referee (R): Leads the crew and focuses on the offense.
• Umpire (U): Watches the line play near the interior lines.
• Head Linesman (HL): Monitors one sideline and the line of scrimmage.
• Line Judge (LJ): Monitors the opposite sideline from the head linesman.
• Back Judge (BJ): Stands deep behind the defensive secondary.
• Field Judge (FJ): Positioned deep on the same side as the head linesman.
• Side Judge (SJ): Positioned deep on the same side as the line judge.

This seven-official system matches the setup used in the NFL (which also uses Field Judge and Side Judge).

In some smaller college games, only six officials may be used (often omitting the side judge). However, at most NCAA games (especially Division I), seven officials is the norm. The extra officials (Field Judge and Side Judge) improve coverage on deep passes and sideline plays, which are common in college football.

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Why Seven Officials

College football is very fast-paced, with more players and quicker plays than high school. The extra officials allow better coverage:

• The field judge and side judge provide better visibility on long passes.
• Each official has a smaller area to monitor, reducing missed calls.
• It aligns college officiating with professional standards (preparing officials for higher levels).

For context, the NFL uses eight officials on the field (adding both a field judge and a side judge). College uses seven. In major college games, there is also typically a video replay official in the booth (the "eighth official") who assists with replay reviews, but this person is off the field.

If a college game must proceed with fewer than seven (for example, if an official is suddenly unavailable), the remaining officials cover the missing areas as best as possible. This is uncommon at the college level because crews are usually complete.

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Preparing to Officiate College Football

If you’re aiming to officiate college football, expect to work in a seven-person crew. Each position has specialized responsibilities, but all seven work together on each play. Aspiring college officials should practice working in multi-official environments. Attending clinics or camps and working lower-level college or high school games with a full crew will prepare you for college games.

Dream Big Officials offers support and clinics for officials at all levels. They can help you learn about college officiating crews and position mechanics. Remember, a seven-official crew provides the best coverage for college games, so ensure you’re ready to fill your role. With proper training and teamwork, you’ll be part of a complete officiating crew ensuring a safe and fair game!