USA Football is hosting National Development Games in four locations this month, starting with the event this week in Canton, Ohio. More than 200 top sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders from across the nation are practicing at Walsh University in preparation for Saturday’s games at Fawcett Stadium, next door to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Players were drafted onto four teams, which will practice and play together throughout the event. Coaches include current college coaches, former NFL players and top high school coaches, bringing a wealth of knowledge and insight into the game.
Here’s a look at the coaching staffs for each team and a closer look at one per squad:
USA Blue
Jason Sparks, Portsmouth (Ohio) High School, head coach/quarterbacks
Jordan Koehler, Anna Maria College (Mass.), receivers
Butler Benton, Notre Dame, running backs
Tim Thornton, Peoria (Ill.) High School, offensive line
Antwon Murchison, Pinecrest (N.C.) High School, defensive line
Chad Hammond, Portsmouth (Ohio) High School, linebackers
Edwyn Edwards, Holy Cross, defensive backs
Butler Benton played running back for the University of Cincinnati from 2004-08, rushing for 1,736 yards and 11 touchdowns during a career that included being named Freshman All-Conference. He is a player development coach at Notre Dame.
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USA White
Mike Ridings, University of Indianapolis, head coach/quarterbacks
Blaise Holzer, Ohio Dominican, receivers
Kenny Johnson, Millikin (Ill.) College, running backs
Ben Ehret, Northern State (S.D.), offensive line
Jonathan Smith, Lindsey Wilson University (Ky.), defensive line
Kyle Weigleb, New Albany (Ind.) High School, linebackers
Charles Love, University of Indianapolis, defensive backs
Mike Ridings is the tight ends and running backs coach for the University of Indianapolis, an NCAA Division II program. Previously, he worked for the University of Kentucky as the assistant director of recruiting. Ridings started his coaching career on the Indiana University staff (2006-08), helping the Hoosiers snap a 14-year bowl game drought.
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USA Red
Clarence Martin, Robert Lee (Texas) High School, head coach/quarterbacks
Terill Anderson, Robert Lee (Texas) High School, receivers
Joseph Sebestyen, Robert Lee (Texas) High School, offensive line
Tommy Polley, Baltimore St. Francis High School, defensive line
Chadwick Louisville, Robert Lee High School, linebackers
Kevin Brown, Kansas City Piper Middle School and USA Football Master Trainer, defensive backs
Tommy Polley attended Florida State University, where he was selected first-team All-ACC twice and finished his college career with 289 tackles (170 solo). As a defensive captain, he helped the Seminoles to the 2001 national championship game, then was drafted in the second round by the St. Louis Rams. Polley had a six-year NFL career, including seasons with the Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and New Orleans Saints.
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USA Silver
Fabien Bownes, NFL alumni, head coach/receivers
Corey Valentine, Brooklyn Boys and Girls High School, quarterbacks
Ryan Struthers, UMass-Dartmouth, running backs
Nick Marmo, New Castle (Pa.) High School, offensive line
Rob Sturgis, Anna Maria College (Mass.), defensive line
Logan Williams, Shepherd University (D.C.), linebackers
Michael Middleton, Cincinnati Princeton High School, defensive backs
Fabien Bownes spent eight seasons (1995-2002) as a wide receiver in the NFL with the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks. He is also a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the 100 meter dash.