Longsnap.com

Snapping Prospects for 2014 NFL Draft

Posted on July 5, 2013 by longsnap

Although the college and NFL seasons are many weeks away, it is never too early to start identifying some of the top college snapping talent that NFL clubs will be watching closely this season.

So far, there are a few snappers who have demonstrated NFL potential based on my analysis and discussions with some trusted sources. Casey Kreiter (Iowa), Trevor Gillette (Rice) and Drew Howell (Oregon) are some of the most common names being mentioned in NFL circles. Gillette and Howell are four-year starters and Gillette has played both tight end and defensive end during his career at Rice. Kreiter is entering his third year as starting snapper and contributed seven tackles on special teams last year for the Hawkeyes.

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Rams Snapper McQuaide Having a Great Week

Posted on July 2, 2013 by longsnap

Rams snapper Jake McQuaide is enjoying a great week so far during the down time that occurs just prior to training camp. McQuaide, who is entering his third NFL season, signed a four year contract extension on Monday that will keep him with the Rams through the 2017 season.

In addition, McQuaide plays a role in the hot new trick shot video from Dude Perfect that appeared on YouTube Monday featuring his teammates punter Johnny Hekker and kicker Greg Zuerlein. Enjoy…

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CFL Snappers for the 2013 Season

Posted on July 1, 2013 by longsnap

The CFL regular season got underway this weekend and featured the same eight snappers that started the season last year. Of this group, only veteran Randy Chevrier has spent time in the NFL. Below are the snappers for each club.

British Columbia 40 Tim Cronk

Calgary 56 Randy Chevrier

Edmonton 53 Ryan King

Hamilton 54 Kevin Scott

Montreal 37 Martin Bedard

Saskatchewan 47 Cory Hucklack

Toronto 82 Chad Rempel

Winnipeg 50 Chris Cvetkovic

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Pontbriand Offering Private and Group Snapping Training

Posted on June 17, 2013 by longsnap

About the Blog

Ryan Pontbriand, who is the highest drafted snapper in the history of the NFL, is now offering both private and group snapping training and instruction. Based in Texas, Pontbriand has started to train high school and college snappers in sessions that include video analysis to help improve snapping ability.

For those who are interested in learning from a veteran NFL snapper, you can contact Ryan directly for more information via email at prosnap64@gmail.com.

Posted in Coaching, College, High School | Leave a comment

USC Recruit Zach Smith Becomes a National Video Sensation

Posted on June 6, 2013 by longsnap

Press

California high school snapper Zach Smith, who is committed to attend USC next Fall, has become the latest national video star with his amazing compilation of long snapping tricks. At last check, Smith’s video had over 425,000 views and has received significant national media attention.

This video and all of the corresponding attention it has received in just the last few days is yet another example of how snappers can receive positive press in a position that is otherwise designed to be very anonymous. In 2011, Zach Enyeart was one of the first snappers to gain national exposure with a similar video of snapping tricks.

The video is below.

Posted in College, High School, Snapping in the Media | Leave a comment

Phil Steele’s Preseason All-American Long Snappers

Posted on June 5, 2013 by longsnap

Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is one of the best college preview publications I have seen, largely because it always includes detailed information on each FBS team’s long snapper. Steele continues to respect the position and today updated his Daily Blog with his 2013 Preseason All-American Team. The list goes four teams deep and, most importantly, includes long snappers.

This year, the 1st Team snapper is Scott Thompson of NC State. 2nd team is Drew Howell of Oregon, 3rd is Matt Dooley of Indiana and 4th is Reid Ferguson of LSU. Each snapper is also the product of noted snapping instructor, Chris Rubio.

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Additional Snapper Transactions

Posted on May 31, 2013 by longsnap

NFL clubs continue to adjust their rosters as they sign draft picks and round out the 90 man roster for training camp. There have been a few snapping transactions over the last week or two, with the Seahawks waiving Adam Steiner, the Chargers deleting Kyle Nelson and the Cowboys dropping Charley Hughlett.

Nelson was subsequently claimed off waivers by the 49ers, giving them three snappers on the roster, and the Cowboys replaced Hughlett with rookie Jackson Anderson from Duke.

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Latest Snapping Moves

Posted on May 17, 2013 by longsnap

The rookie mini-camps are now complete and there were no additional snapper signings. However, there have been a few transactions at the snapping position. The Raiders waived Adam Steiner, who was then claimed by the Seahawks. Two recent free agent signings, clients Nick Guess (Raiders) and Patrick Scales (Dolphins), were also waived in the last few days.

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LS Signings and Tryouts Update

Posted on May 9, 2013 by longsnap

Most NFL teams will conduct their three day mini-camps starting tomorrow, although a few teams conducted their camps last weekend. After the Draft, six rookie long snappers signed contracts, while a number of other rookies have been invited to mini-camp without a contract.

Below are the signings and mini-camp invites for rookie snappers. Street free agent snapper and client Nick Guess also signed a contract with the Raiders, while other snappers from prior Draft classes attended, or will attend, mini-camps on a tryout basis, including Scott Albritton (Vikings) and Corey Adams (Broncos).

Rookie LS Signing Contracts: Mike Zupancic (Patriots); Luke Ingram (Steelers); Carson Tinker (Jaguars); Adam Steiner (Raiders); Kevin McDermott (49ers) and Jorgen Hus (Rams)

Rookie LS Tryouts: P.J. Mangieri (Jets); Jordan Cowart (Redskins); Dax Dellenbach (Seahawks); Brandon Gabbard (Giants); Adam Nelson (Chiefs); Tyler Morgan (Panthers/Falcons); Jesse Smitherman (Cowboys)

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ESPN.com Playbook Features Long Snapping Camps

Posted on May 8, 2013 by longsnap

Last Sunday, Doug Williams of ESPN.com Playbook published a story that provides a compelling and comprehensive look at the growth of long snapping camps. Featuring Cole Mazza, widely regarded as this past season’s top high school snapper and an Alabama recruit with a full scholarship, and his instructor, Chris Rubio of Rubio’s Long Snapping, the story describes the growing cottage industry of long snapping camps.

In addition to helping young snappers hone the various skills that snappers need, such as accuracy, velocity, consistency and blocking, the camps are also critical to identifying talent for college coaches. For example, Rubio’s camps helped his snappers secure 66 college commitments this season alone.

Posted in College, Snapping in the Media | Leave a comment