back judge mechanic
 

NCAA - how many yard is a typical buffer ? Yesterday I was at Penn State - Northwestern game . The BJ was back 28 yards and his wings were back 26 yards. On pass plays the wings auto dropped back an additional 7-10 yds. On a 10-12 yd pass, there is a lot of space between receiver and back refs. Large space or not, I believe the crew got every call correct. One challange was overruled but after watching the replay today... it was extremely close. I was just wondering if all NCAA wings start back 26 yd

NCAA is 20 for F/S and 25 for B.
As a deep wing, I'll sometimes wander to 22.

...and as they get close to the GL, they will drop a little extra so they start at the GL at the snap. That way you can concentrate 100% on the play rather than some of your attention being on whether you backed up too little or too far.

Even lower division NCAA players are VERY fast and will make up a 15 yard gap in virtually no time -- especially with the ball or chasing a pass. Plus, with all the zone defenses and spread offenses, there's not much a deep official can do but be in the way any closer than 30 yards to the LOS.

You could also add JUCO and NAIA to this as well. I do not have a problem with them that deep in a passing game. Now their evaluators might have a different opinion, but no problem from me. Mechanics are guides, not unwavering policies.

Peace