All-Star Game Changes and USFL/XFL Merger To Impact Long Snappers

Posted on October 20, 2023 by longsnap

There are two notable changes that will directly impact college and pro long snappers looking to play in the NFL in 2024.

The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, created in 2012, will not happened this year, although it promises to return in a different format. The NFL has also made changes to the rules for conducting college all-star games that could impact the opportunities for snappers. As of now, the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl remain the top options for senior college snappers looking to play at the next level. Other options include The College Gridiron Showcase and Hula Bowl.

Snappers have also benefited from securing game experience at professional leagues below the NFL, like the USFL and XFL. In recent years, the XFL helped launch NFL careers for Scott Daly, Nick Moore and Christian Kuntz. The USFL helped Mitchell Fraboni get to the NFL as well. These two leagues just announced they are merging. That combination, scheduled to debut in 2024, will likely reduce the number of teams, but increase and consolidate the talent.

As a result of these two important changes, the landscape for college and pro snappers with a desire to make the NFL will be different in 2024. However, despite these developments, all-star games and the newly-combined spring league remain some of the best options to impress NFL talent evaluators.

Posted in NFL Draft, Transactions, USFL, XFL | Comments Off on All-Star Game Changes and USFL/XFL Merger To Impact Long Snappers

Week Six in Review

Posted on October 17, 2023 by longsnap

Week Six was similar to prior weeks this NFL season at the snapping position. There were no major performance issues or injuries and the position remains remarkably stable and consistent.

So, at least for now, tackles are the only real news. Mitchell Fraboni of the Broncos had an assisted tackle and the first forced fumble by a snapper this year. Joe Cardona (Patriots) and Josh Harris (Chargers) added solo tackles, while Charley Hughlett (Browns) recorded an assisted tackle.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Six is below.

2023 Week SixDownload
Posted in NFL, Tackles | Comments Off on Week Six in Review

Week Five in Review

Posted on October 10, 2023 by longsnap

Week Five of the NFL season is complete and the position remains stable. Andrew DePaola of the Vikings suffered an apparent ankle injury late in Sunday’s game but was able to return.

Three snappers recorded tackles in punt coverage this week, as client Liam McCullough (Falcons) had a solo tackle and an assist, while Trent Sieg (Cowboys) had a solo tackle and Christian Kuntz (Steelers) recorded an assisted tackle to give him three total tackles on the year.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Five is below.

2023 Week FiveDownload
Posted in NFL, Tackles, Transactions | Comments Off on Week Five in Review

Week Four in Review

Posted on October 3, 2023 by longsnap

Week Four of the NFL season is complete and the snapping position remains stable and without any changes since the start of the season.

Atlanta worked out snappers Tucker Addington, Jack Coco and Jake McQuaide, while Pittsburgh worked out Addington and Carson Tinker.

Four snappers had tackles in punt coverage during Week Four led by Luke Rhodes of the Colts who had a tackle and an assist. James Winchester (Chiefs) and Casey Kreiter (Giants) had solo tackles and Zach Wood (Saints) added an assisted tackle.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Four is below.

2023 Week FourDownload
Posted in NFL, Tackles, Transactions | Comments Off on Week Four in Review

Week Three in Review

Posted on September 26, 2023 by longsnap

Week Three of the NFL season is complete and was largely uneventful for snappers. Normally reliable Joe Cardona did have some short snapping issues for the Patriots but there have been no snapping changes since the start of the season.

As expected, the Commanders worked out five snappers last week but did not sign one. The snappers were Tucker Addington, Jake McQuaide, Bradley Robinson, Rex Sunahara and Carson Tinker.

Three snappers recorded tackles in punt coverage this week, with Tyler Ott (Ravens) and JJ Jansen (Panthers) recording solo tackles and Jacob Bobemoyer (Raiders) adding an assisted tackle.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Three is below.

2023 Week ThreeDownload
Posted in NFL, Tackles, Transactions | Comments Off on Week Three in Review

2023 Division One FBS Long Snappers Chart

Posted on September 19, 2023 by longsnap

We are a few weeks into the 2023 college football season, so it is the perfect time to debut Longsnap.com’s exclusive compilation of the long snapper for each FBS team.

As usual, the list is sorted by conference and includes the snapper’s uniform number, height, weight and class year.

Note that some teams still do not publish an official depth chart, while others listed two snappers or divide the punt and placement snaps between two players. In each case, the chart includes the punt snapper that was listed as the starter for the first game of the season.

If there are any significant errors or corrections, please let me know at kevingold@longsnap.com

2023 Division One Long Snappers

Posted in College | Comments Off on 2023 Division One FBS Long Snappers Chart

Week Two in Review

Posted on September 19, 2023 by longsnap

Week Two of the NFL is complete and there may be a snapping change coming in Washington. Camaron Cheeseman is struggling with his short snaps and the team will work out snappers today.

Jake McQuaide has been busy on the tryout circuit, completing workouts with Denver and Arizona. The Arizona workout also included Tucker Addington. Both are expected to be part of the Washington tryout today.

The Patriots unique field goal block from Sunday night, where special teams standout Brenden Schooler using a running start to block the attempt, continues to get national attention. Long snappers can be part of a solution by, among other things, changing the timing of the snap.

Three snappers added tackles in punt coverage this week, with Ross Matiscik recorded a solo tackle for the second week in a row. Josh Harris of the Chargers had a solo stop and Mitchell Fraboni of the Broncos had an assisted tackle.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week Two is below.

2023 Week TwoDownload
Posted in NFL, Tackles, Transactions | Comments Off on Week Two in Review

Week One in Review

Posted on September 12, 2023 by longsnap

The NFL is back! Week One of the 2023 season is complete.

Before their seasons began, Reid Ferguson (Dolphins) and Luke Rhodes (Colts) each signed contract extensions. Ferguson is now under contract until 2026, while Rhodes’ deal will continue until 2027.

There were a few tryouts before the season started, as the Bears brought in five snappers that were all in camps with other teams in the pre-season, working out Tucker Addington, Evan Deckers, Jack Landherr, Cam Lyons and Rex Sunahara.

Addington also worked out for the Raiders a few days after the Bears tryout. Yesterday, the Texans worked out veterans Jake McQuaide and Matt Overton along with some punters.

Two snappers made their NFL debuts Sunday and faced each other. Chris Stoll of the Seahawks snapped against Alex Ward of the Rams. Stoll won the Patrick Mannelly Award this past season, while Ward was a two-time finalist.

Seven snappers recorded tackles in punt coverage during Week One. Christian Kuntz (Steelers) had two solo tackles, Cal Adomitis (Bengals), Ross Matiscik (Jaguars) and Casey Kreiter (Giants) had a solo tackle each, while Andrew DePaola (Vikings), Zach Wood (Saints) and Stoll (Seahawks) recorded assisted stops.

The NFL Long Snappers Chart after Week One is below.

2023 Week OneDownload

Posted in NFL, Patrick Mannelly Award, Tackles, Transactions | Comments Off on Week One in Review

New Long Snapper Song; Artist Looking for NFL Snappers to Appear in Video

Posted on September 6, 2023 by longsnap

The purpose of Longsnap.com is to celebrate the anonymous heroes of football, the long snapper.

I was recently contacted by an amateur songwriter, Elliot Kramer, who also fell in love with the unique aspects of this position. Kramer decided to write a song about it and the lyrics are below.

He is looking for some current NFL long snappers that are interested in appearing in an upcoming video he is making to lip synch some of the lines.

If any NFL snapper is interested, contact me at kevingold@longsnap.com and I will connect you.

Long Snapper

Verse1:

Long snapping a football

I’m sure you will agree

Is a vital vocation

In our economy

Million dollar salary

You might not know his name

Because he only gets used

For six plays a game

Chorus:

Long Snapper

(Monday morning he’s never sore 

His jersey’s not in the team store

Only gets Pro Bowl write-in votes

Who’s that guy on the Super Bowl float?)

Verse2:

He isn’t the kicker

They don’t let him throw

But you better believe

He’s worth this much dough

If a kick is missed because

He snapped it high or low

Fans will curse and demand 

The team let him go

Bridge:

Would you have guessed

He makes more than all of Congress 

No one would vent

That he outearns the President

He gets double a surgeon

Six times Chief of Police

Yet when he gets signed

There’s no news press release

Posted in Snapping in the Media | Comments Off on New Long Snapper Song; Artist Looking for NFL Snappers to Appear in Video

Long Snappers Set for Week One

Posted on September 4, 2023 by longsnap

The 2023 NFL season will kick off Thursday and the snapping position appears set around the league.

Four veterans were released for roster spots at the cut deadline but quickly re-signed. Aaron Brewer (Cardinals), Reid Ferguson (Bills), Trent Sieg (Cowboys) and Matt Orzech (Packers) were the snappers involved in these temporary moves.

Since final cuts, the Raiders worked out veteran snappers Jake McQuaide and Carson Tinker, while the Eagles tried out rookie Bradley Robinson.

Posted in NFL, Transactions | Comments Off on Long Snappers Set for Week One