It's Coming Back Around....

Age 1 - I'm a mover and a shaker. The world is mine and I will
experience it all.  NOW!

Age 2 -  I'm into everything and I'm starting to grasp it all...I think

Age 3 - You can't catch me! The world is mine...and I'm getting there faster now

Age 4 - I know what I know. I know what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine.

Age 5 -  I'm about to start a new stage of my life

Age 6 - My body is beginning to change. Not sure what is happening.

Age 7 - I really don't like girls, but I kinda want to be around them.

Age 8 - Starting to make some good friends.  I bet they will be around forever.

Age 9 - People are changing. Where do I fit in?

Age 10 - Times are changing. Where do I fit in?

Age 11 - Starting to make some good friends.  I bet they will be around forever.

Age 12 - I really don't like girls, but I kinda want to be around them.

Age 13 - My body is beginning to change. Not sure what is happening.

Age 14 - I'm about to start a new stage of my life.

Age 15 - I know what I know. I know what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine.

Age 16 -  You can't catch me! The world is mine...and I'm getting
there faster now

Age 17 - I'm into everything and I'm starting to grasp it all...I think

Age 18 - I'm a mover and a shaker. The world is mine and I will
experience it all.  NOW!


Happy High School graduation to my Long Snappers.

The world is yours but never forget how you started out in life. Not much has changed and everything ends up coming back around:)


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I heard, I saw, I know

I heard oohs and ahhs at the pro demo when young Long Snappers saw the vets in action.

I heard parents wish their child luck as he was called for his group.

I heard camera shutters continuously clicking throughout the weekend.

I heard the clank of the finals round target when a ball just barely missed the chained hole.

I heard a siren go off on Sunday any time a new high score was hit

I saw Long Snappers from all around the country come together on one field to learn and compete.

I saw parents battle the heat and sit in any scrap of shade to support their son.

I saw Long Snappers fully embrace one another as long time friends, yet still be able to turn on their competitive side when they needed to.

I saw a Long Snapper, who got beat in one of the finals rounds, have his eyes swell up and become wet with tears immediately get a hug from his father who, perfectly, let his son know it wasn't the end of the world.

I saw countless Long Snappers and families taking photos, creating memories and not wanting the moments to end.

I know many young Long Snappers were overwhelmed by the weekend and will dominate next time as they now know what to expect.

I know I will have some new 5 Star Long Snappers.

I know the TOP 12 & Event Elite camp will be absurd with the amount of talent that will be on hand.

I know that was the biggest and best Spring Event we have ever had.

I know we will be back to Vegas in just over seven months and the countdown begins now!

Two Trees

In the forest stand two trees. They are identical in shape, size and color. In no way, would you ever be able to differentiate between the two.

One day, one of the trees is cut down while the other is left standing. They are trees, so there is no emotion at this point for either of them.  One has been taken, while one has been left. They are trees.

The trees had lived identical lives up until this point. They shared the same sun, encountered the same winds, lived in the same soil and drank the same water. They were identical trees that lived the identical life. Now, they were about to be as different as possible.

The tree that was cut down was taken to a mini man made forest. People would come to admire the tree and it's new counterparts. One by one, trees would be analyzed, touched, analyzed some more and then chosen by exuberant families. It was exciting but it didn't stop the tree from beginning to feel weak. After all, it had been cut down and taken from it's life source. It was no longer living. 

While this was occurring, the tree that was not cut was living it's life in it's home. Soaking up the sun, feeling the wind, drinking the water and spreading it's roots among the soil. Everyday was the same. Everything remained as it always had. Nothing. Ever. Changed.

The cut down tree ended up in a house overflowing with excitement. It was getting weaker, but definitely fed off the energy. It was propped up, positioned just so, decorated with the utmost care, stared at for countless hours and even photographed with dozens and dozens of people. It would be remembered forever in photographs by the family that took it into to cherish for a month. It was Christmas time and this tree was the center of attention. It was on a pedestal. It was experiencing it's fifteen minutes of fame. 

The tree that was not cut down continued to live it's life. The same way it always had. Undisturbed. Unchanged. It lived. Nothing. Ever. Changed. Each day was exactly the same. 

The cut down tree was eventually disrobed, taken to the trash, forgotten about and gone. It was no longer around and only thought of when pictures were looked at every so often. It was gone. Done. Over.

The other tree lived in the same place, the same way, for a very long time. It never experienced anything new or exciting, but it lived. It's life never altered, never any new experiences and no one will ever remember it and, it's possible, no one will ever see it or even know it existed. But, it lived a very, very long time.

Now, I want you to think about the two trees as a person's life. Your life to be exact. Would you rather be the tree that lives for a great deal of time, in the same situation where nothing ever changes but you are living OR would you rather be the tree that was absolutely adored, cherished and made the center of attention for a quick amount of time but's life was cut short? They both definitely have their advantages and disadvantages. There is no correct answer. Everyone tends to see this one differently and has arguments for both sides.

Think about it. Live your life but make sure it is worth living and that you know what living actually means to you. 

By the way, I do know which tree I would prefer and, it is, undoubtedly, the ........ :)


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So, You're an Over Thinker

Are you a Long Snapper? If you are reading this, the answer would tend to lean towards yes or you are someone that knows of one. Being a Long Snapper usually entails being smarter than the average (hence why you have chosen to be a Long Snapper) and over thinking even the most basic functions. 

People have told you over and over to stop thinking and just do what comes naturally to you. To let your form take over. If you have been taught properly (wink, wink...Rubio), this shouldn't be an issue and you need to trust your body and let it do what it has been trained to do. 

All around you, people will tell you over and over to not over think things, but you are who you are and it just sort of happens. You tell them (coaches, parents, friends, teammates, even me) that you will stop analyzing every single little thing but, inevitably, you keep stressing. Talk is just talk. You must walk the walk. You must work countless hours the RIGHT way and not just work hard to establish the comfort of knowing you will dominate. 

Days ago, I put out a Twitter message (remember, I protest the word Tweet and this doesn't count so shoosh) that was a Rubio Tip that read "snap the ball with your eyes closed throughout the entire process in practice. If you can do that, snapping with them open will be simple." I used to do this all the time at UCLA to get myself comfortable and know how good I really was in the whole aspect of snapping. I figured, if I could do it with my eyes closed, doing it with my eyes open would be easy....and it was.

Extra snapping will not necessarily make you a better snapper or less of an over thinker. I believe it may cause the opposite. Snapping is not a hard process. Like I always say, we aren't working for NASA or curing cancer. We are snapping a dead animal really fast backwards. This is not rocket science. Everyone can do it and do it well IF they work right, not just hard and, almost most importantly, simply just _________________ :)



......for the blank, take the second letter of the first word in each paragraph

Social Media for Athletes: To Embrace or Not To Embrace

Today's teen athletes are actually very similar to those in the past couple decades. They make good decisions and they make bad decisions. The difference is, now, those decisions are amplified a billion times and spread faster than anything the previous generations could even fathom. An athlete can make a slip up on a social media site and it can be shot around the world with a single click on a smart phone in less than a second.

So, the question arises....should an athlete be involved with social media?

My answer is....ABSOLUTELY....but they should be monitored!

There are several types of social media formats out there. However, I am going only going to discuss only the two head honchos at this point along with the goods and bads of each, for a soon-to-be college athlete.

Facebook and Twitter
- Obviously, Facebook is the big dog of the group but Twitter is gaining steam. Pretty much the entire student body of any high school and college has a Facebook account....and they should. It is a tremendous way to stay connected with one another. If you don't have an account, I am not even going to explain it to you because you are not reading this and you are currently in a coma.

Facebook Positives - Keeps people connected. You always get to see what people are up to regardless of geographic location. I live in Northern Idaho, but am easily connected with people in Los Angeles, Chicago, Lousiana, Georgia, Maryland...you get the point. Facebook is a tremendous way to keep up with people. I was speaking to some good friends of mine about how Facebook basically is going to wipe out the High School Reunion market. Why even go? Who doesn't know what is happening with someone simply through their Facebook account?

Facebook Negatives - Imagine your high school hallway, add that group of really annoying girls/guys that are waaaaay too into themselves and amplify that all over the world. That is what Facebook can be. It is a drama-filled machine, if you let it be. The trick is not let yourself get involved. Don't comment on someone's post and you will not be involved. If you have a problem with someone, deal with them directly. Don't just walk outside and scream it. That would be pointless....side note: that is what making a statement or subtweet (sent out to all, but directed at one) is actually doing. You are making yourself look worse than the person you are attempting to ridicule.

Twitter Positives - You can find out information INSTANTLY and you can spread information INSTANTLY. One click and it is gone, to anyone, in the world, that is following you. 

Twitter Negatives - Again, you can find out information INSTANTLY and you can spread information INSTANTLY. One click and it is gone, to anyone, in the world, that is following you. Therefore, you say something ignorant and press "tweet" it is out there. Even if you delete it later, someone will have it on their Twitter account.

Facebook Recruit Advantage - Still pretty much under the radar from the NCAA so college coaches can use it to contact you without penalty. And, if they can't, they can have assistants (people that work for the program but usually are not getting paid) contact you as somewhat of a "middle" man.

Facebook Recruit Disadvantage - You take a trip to a school or show some interest. Within a couple days, a beautiful student of that campus "friends" you on Facebook. You are amazed and almost break your keyboard clicking "accept!" Not to burst your bubble, but she doesn't find you attractive...at all. She is on the athletic staff to "friend" you, then search through your account for any incriminating posts, messages, likes and especially photos. She will report everything you have done back to the coaches. Why don't you take some time and go clean up your account now:)   Don't want to or think I'm wrong? Check out this excerpt from an interview with Houston Head Coach Tony Levine (thanks M.F.)

Q: How  do coaches monitor social networks when it comes to recruiting? TL: “We monitor it for all of our recruits in more ways than one: position coaches, recruiting coaches, our recruiting coordinator, I do as well. Two things that come to mind: number one, if they’re taking other visits, it’s a great way to find out. When a kid posts a picture of himself at another school on a Saturday with a jersey on, you know he’s on a visit. The second thing is, what they’re posting. The same kid that we dropped because he took two other visits, on his Facebook page, and obviously I was friends with him — posted things nightly that we’re not looking for in our program" 

Q: So a recruit can hurt himself by what he posts on his social media pages? TL: "Without question. And he did. In that respect, I think social media has changed (recruiting) for a number of reasons."

Twitter Recruit Advantage - Still pretty much under the radar from the NCAA so college coaches can use it to contact you without penalty. And, if they can't, they can have assistants (people that work for the program but usually are not getting paid) contact you as somewhat of a middle man. Easy way to follow your favorite coach or team and feel like you are part of them. Easy way to find other people in your situation, ie: Long Snappers.

Twitter Recruit Disadvantage - Anything you say, anyone you follow and/or retweet represents you. You say something asinine, you look asinine. You follow morons, you look like a moron. You retweet something ignorant, you look ignorant. Remember, whatever you put out there, EVERYONE will see. Someone bad mouths your lady, speak to them directly. You post on Twitter and everyone sees it....NOW! You don't look like a chivalrous man, you look like someone airing their dirty laundry and no one cares. 

Trust me, I get it, there are tons of VERY funny things out there that I would love to retweet, but I don't...because I am using my brain. Have common sense. You may get the funny line from a movie or inside joke, but just stop and think if the older football coach might not. Even if there is the slightest possibility that something could go wrong with a message or someone could decipher it wrong, don't do it!

Would I Let My Kid(s) Have an Account - Yup, but as stated earlier, I would monitor it. It is the old theory of when a teen learns to drive. You are worried about how they will drive but almost more worried about the other drivers out there. Same difference here.

I would insist that I was their "friend" on Facebook or followed them on Twitter. If they put up a stink about that one because they are still at the "it isn't cool to be friends with your parents on Facebook and/or Twitter,"  I would say "Ok. No problem. I won't be your 'friend' on Facebook or follow you on Twitter, but then I have to have your accounts password to make sure everything is Ok." If they still rage, then it is simple. They lose their computer, cell phone or any other way they can access their Facebook and/or Twitter account. You most likely bought them and/or pay their bills (yup, electricity counts) so the upper hand is yours.

Parents, I repeat, you have the upper hand AND you are just trying to help your child for the future. If they don't get that, there isn't much they will get.


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Not Again

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No.

Not again. Please. Not again. Please. Please. Please. Not again. Stop. Pleeeeease.

Please stop looking at me like that. Look away. Please. Back up. Stop walking towards me. Come on seriously. Stop. Enough! Back up. That's enough. You are scaring me. I am not doing this again. BACK UP!

Put your hand away. Not again. Please no! Don't grab me so hard. Ouch!

Not the other one, too. Oh wait, this is the one I like. Go ahead. I actually like how gentile you are with this one. Why can't the other one be so nice to me?

Wait. Can't we just stop right here? Please. Come on. Please!

Don't look at me. Please stop looking at me like that. Please. I know what happens after you look at me. I am not ready. I can hear you breathing. I can see your chest going up and down. Just let me be. Why are you squeezing me? What are you looking at back there? Not again. I am not ready for this. I never am. Stop. Please.

Oh no. It is coming. I know it. I feel it. STOP!!! PLEASE!!! I hate not knowing when this all starts. It is about to happen. I know it. It's coming. Stop. I am not ready. Stop. I am not ready. Please, please don't. Just let me lay here. Please. PLEASE! I am not..........

POOOOOOOF! down, side, up, side, down, side, up, side, down, I HATE THIS, side, up, side, down, up, side, down, Why couldn't you just be nice and hold me? side, up, side, down, up, side, down, up, side, I'm getting sick. I hate that you do this to me,  down, up, side, down, up, side, down, side, up, side, I am going to throw up, down, side, up, side, down, I see them, side, up, side, down, they are getting closer, side, up, side, down, closer, closer, side, up, side, down, side, up, closer, closer, closer, side, down, side, here it comes, I ABSOLUTELY HATE THIS PART, up, side, down, side......

SMACK!!!!!

It's over.

Please let me be. I can't do it again. Please give me a break. Just lay me down and let me be. Please.

Wait. Not you, too! Come on. PLEASE. I can't do it again. No. Noooooooo.

I absolutely hate being a football for Rubio's Long Snappers! :)

Rewind

Right when you released the ball, you knew it was bad. The worst thing that could have happened, happened. You launched the ball over the punter's head to give the other team a safety, the victory, and the state championship, as time expired on the clock. Your heart was pounding. The team was looking at you. You felt as though every single set of eyes on the home side bleachers was piercing your skin. You attempted to not look up. You had one job and you didn't do it. You failed. Your team lost. All....eyes....were....on....you....

Rewind 15 minutes....

The crowd looks great. It was a huge game for the school and the city. Everyone was there. The usual spot where all the good looking girls hung out was overflowing. A couple times during the night, you had actually made eye-contact with some of the finer ones. It was a good night. Football was secondary at this point and long snapping was even lower on the list. The game would take care of itself. No need to stay focused, loose or get some snaps in. You knew what to do. It was just snapping. You are, as people reminded you, only the long snapper.

Rewind 20 hours.....

Nothing like a meeting of the minds on the night before the biggest game of the year. By "meeting of the minds" everyone knew it meant a get together at a buddies house. By "get together" everyone knew it meant house party turning into a full blow out! You were just going to stay a bit. Ride the wave of excitement and popularity one gets from being a member of the top team in the land. It didn't matter that you were just a long snapper. You were a member of the team and would be wearing a championship ring after your team won the next night. All was great. You would stay a bit longer. No worries. You were just the long snapper. The season was in cruise control. It was ok to stay out later. You are just the long snapper. It won't come down to you. The game, championship and rings are a lock. No worries.

Rewind 30 days....

Your coach actually believed that you were going to go in to watch some film and get some drill work in. What an idiot! Seriously, who watches film on just a long snapper or really does drills to get better? Like it is hard or something. You bend over, grab the ball, look back and throw the ball. Anyone could do it and you were the best on the team so what was the worry? There was none. Nothing could go wrong.

Rewind two months....

You just weren't feeling it yesterday. It was your first Rubio Long Snapping camp and it was a bit overwhelming. There was some excellent long snappers there. Guys that had been to many of Rubio's camps and listened to his every word. Even the parents were involved. You had been to other guy's camps but this was night and day different. Everyone was involved. The guy talked about Long Snapping like it was the greatest thing in the world. Didn't this guy know it was just long snapping? Didn't he get that anyone could do it? All of the drills were actually pretty amazing and got the job done, but who needs those? It is just long snapping and what could go wrong? This Rubio guy needs to relax. You don't need to listen to him. What does he know? It is just long snapping! What could go wrong?

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How Recruiting is Like the Prom

Year in and year out, I go through a lot of recruiting. My job makes me a bit of a middleman, so I get to hear all sides. I see and hear an absolute ton of information from the coaches, the parents, sports writers and the athletes. At times, it is almost bizarre. I have essentially gone through the recruiting process well over a 1,000 times. Think about it....say a Long Snapper gets recruited by about five to ten different schools, now say this happens to an average of about fifty Long Snappers per year, over ten years and it can really add up. Bottom line, I am more and more beginning to know about what recruiting is really like and I have come to the conclusion that it is just like the prom!

Let me explain.....

1. The first offer always means the most -  True at the prom and true in recruiting
-  A person, well a Long Snapper, might get asked many times to be someone's date to the prom but they can only choose one. Many a time, they go with the first person that asked because they simply were the first that took a chance on them and saw what others didn't. 
- The college that offers first, usually make a huge statement with an athlete. The athlete looks at them in favor because said college took a chance on them in the beginning when no one else would. They saw first what others took awhile to see.  A first offer always sits well and in favor, in an athletes, and their parent's heart. I have witnessed many an athlete commit to their first offer even after much "bigger" schools came knocking at the door. 

2. Once one asks, usually others will follow - True for the prom and true in recruiting.
- A person waits and waits to be asked to the prom (not Long Snappers of course), someone asks, you are all pumped and then, boom, more offers come in, or you find out that others are about to ask you. What to do, what to do? Odds are you end up going with your first offer since they took a chance on you when others would not. 
 - This is easily one of the most common things in recruiting. It is rare, very rare, that a top athlete gets one, and only one, offer. I seriously think schools simply wait, watch, see what happens and then just offer the same guy because others did it and they don't want to be the ones that didn't. This is so common that I have actually read articles from sports writers stating, "_________ was just offered by ___________, so you can fully expect _____, _____ and _____ to offer within a couple days."

3. So much depends on how you are dressed - True for the prom and true in recruiting.
- Dress like a slob and you will end up with a slob. Dress for success and you will end up with success. This is so true for the prom. Dress appropriately prior to the prom and you will be going with the right person, you will look like a stallion and the photos will turn out great at the prom. Dress like a slacker (forgive me, just saw Back to the Future again) and you will be rolling with a slacker. Like I always say, you are who you hang out with.
- Now, I am not saying on a recruiting trip (official or non-official) that you have to be dressed in a three piece suit, but have some common sense. Wear some good clothing that is clean and makes you look the part (THIS blog might help to refresh your memory). Dress appropriately when you are on your visits and you will immediately impress the coaches.

4. Wait too long and your offer is gone - True for the prom and true in recruiting.
- Someone asks you to prom. You are pumped. You, unless they are your permanent significant other, usually will tell them "thank you so much and I just have to check some things" before you answer them. Standard and you should do that. You will need to check cost, times, approval from parents/guardians (yes, you will). Issue: if you wait too long, the person that asked you is going to get nervous and go someplace else and, inevitably, with someone else.
- Same thing happens with a college. They throw an offer your way, whether it is a full ride or a preferred walk-on, and they want an answer....sooner than later. Some schools will give you a timeline, "We need an answer within one week", while others leave it open-ended. Think about it though, if you were the school would you wait around for the answer and hope for a positive one or would you continue to recruit? You wait too long and your offer is gone.

5. Sometimes it isn't what you expect, but if you embrace once you get there, it always turns out great - True for the prom and true in recruiting and beyond.
- I have talked down many an athlete from transferring because they weren't at "the right place for them" or their college was "not what they expected." Recruiting is a wild journey and it takes a long time and a lot of thought. If you went through all the proper steps and really made your decision based on solid factors, you can't go wrong with your decision.

When you finally do make your decision and are at your school of choice, things will be difficult. They are for everyone. Anyone that says they were a thousand percent happy in college from the get-go is a flat out liar. Everyone has issues. It is a big change. Huge. But everyone goes through it and has done it. The trick is to stick it out. Understand what is really happening. College is more about the people than what you are learning. It is figuring out that it isn't what you know, it is who you know and how well you know them. The same exact thing is true for prom. You may not want to go, but once you go and fully embrace, you end up having a great time with memories to last a lifetime....kinda like college:)



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Meet The TOP 12

Going to Vegas in January for underclassmen Long Snappers means several things: seeing what all of the commotion is about, doing your absolute best, getting your ranking solidified, watching in awe at the top seniors that you have read so much about and, of course, making the exclusive TOP 12 list! The TOP 12 is chosen from underclassmen in January and they are simply the best of the best in January. They are the ones that snap the hardest, the most accurate, have the best blocking and are able to handle the pressure of the entire weekend. You make this list and you are on way to greatness....if you keep working as hard and smart as you did to make it. 

The TOP 12 Long Snappers of January will be listed below. They are invited to exclusive TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp this summer. You are only allowed to attend this camp if you prove yourself at one of our Vegas Events (January or May). Therefore, in May, I will be choosing the EVENT ELITE. They will be the best of the best in May and combine with the TOP 12 during the summer for the invite only camp. Some simply aren't ready for January Vegas and need May to make a name for themselves. This happens. I know it. One particular instance would be Jonathan Weeks. He came in January, was not ready, worked his tail off and came back to dominate May. FYI: Jonathan Weeks in now doing this for his job. Side note: after reading his bio on that page, try to figure out what special teams camp the coach found out about him:)

Think about this....come this summer...will you be reading daily about the TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp this summer or will you be participating? MAKE IT HAPPEN. ENOUGH EXCUSES. See you in May. PROVE YOURSELF!!!

With no further adieu, here are your TOP 12 Long Snappers of 2011 and feel free to click on their name for the profile page from the website.

Name:  Matthew Boggs                            

School:  Benton High School       

Grad Year:  2013

Ht:  6’1”

Wt:  200

GPA:  4.0

SAT/ACT:  27 ACT, SAT to be taken

Top 5 College Choices:

1.     TCU

2.     Vanderbilt

3.     Rice

4.     Baylor

5.     Tulane

Hobbies:  Hunting, fishing, and water sports.

Other sports in high school:  Tennis (sophomore, junior), basketball (freshman, sophomore), track (freshman)

Favorite food:  Lasagna

Favorite movie:  Shooter

Favorite inspirational quote: 

“It’s not the will to win, but the will to prepare that makes the difference” – Bear Bryant

If you could have dinner with one person who would it be and why?

Benjamin Franklin because he was influential in the United States’ creation, and he created many unique inventions that have helped shape the world today.

What makes you the best long snapper in the country?

I believe that my work ethic makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.  I am a big believer in the saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”  To me, this quote means you can be better than someone by outworking them, which I try to do.  I believe that my dedication and hard work puts me ahead of everyone else.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?

I am a history enthusiast.  I enjoy going to museums, watching documentaries, and reading about history.

Name: Reed Buce

School: Centennial High School (Peoria, AZ)

Grad Year: 2013

Ht: 6'1

Wt: 240

GPA: 3.71

SAT/ACT: Scheduled for March.

Top 5 College Choices:

    1. UCLA

    2. ASU

    3. Oregon St.

    4. Alabama

    5. Oregon

Hobbies (name only three please):

Snow boarding, Hunting, Drawing 

Other sports you play in HS:

  None

Favorite Food:

 Im a long snapper they are all my favorite. (pizza)

Favorite Movie:

 Tommy Boy

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

 Don't let someones perspective become your reality. 

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

 Lance Armstrong, that man has the drive that no one else on this earth has. He's dealt with mounds of adversity and has blown through them as if they didn't exist, I want to know his story and what was going on through his mind when things weren't going his way.

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?

  Plain and simple, I put in the work. First one in, last one out, that's always the way I've been. I compete against myself and strive to be better every single day. I set goals and will sacrifice everything to obtain what I want. 

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?

  I've always wanted to be a dentist.

Name: Matthew Cota
School: Eagle High School
Graduation Year: 2013
HT: 6'2"
WT: 215
GPA: 3.750
ACT/ SAT: Will be taking the SAT in April 2012
TOP FIVE COLLEGE:
1. Boise State
2. Oklahoma State
3. University of Wyoming
4. Washington State
5. Arizona State
HOBBIES
- fishing/ hunting
- snow boarding
- paintballing
OTHER SPORTS
- Track and Field
- Lacrosse
FAVORITE FOOD
Anything BBQ
FAVORITE MOVIE
Tie between The Fighter and The Eagle
FAVORITE QUOTE
"We do not take counsel of our fears, our naysayers or the unknown." - Chris Peterson Boise State Head Football Coach
DINNER WITH WHO AND WHY
I would have dinner with Georges St. Pierre. He is a mix martial artist who is very mentaly strong. I would like to have dinner with him to ask him how he gets his mind right before a competition.
WHAT MAKES ME THE BEST LONG SNAPPER IN THE NATION
I am the best long snapper in the nation because of my excellent work ethic and my ability to overcome adversity. I have never or never will leave my practice regiment with a bad snap.
MY UNIQUE QUALITY
I Raced Go-Karts competitively for 7 years and won many championships.

Chase Dominguez

- Orange Lutheran High School

- 2013

- Ht: 6'4

- Wt: 180

- GPA: 3.7

- SAT: taking it in March of 2012

- Top 5 College Choices: 1. Oregon 2. Texas 3. USC 4. Colorado Boulder 5. Arizona

- Hobbies: going to the beach with friends, watching movies, playing football

- Other sports played in HS: Volleyball

- Favorite Food: Filet Mignon

- Favorite Movie: Stepbrothers

- Favorite Quote: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

- Dinner with one person and why: I would have dinner with George Washington because I think that he was the best president we have had run this country and he set the bar for every other president to follow.

- I believe that I am the best long snapper in the country because I work very hard and I am always trying to improve my snapping technique, I am also a very coachable player.

- One unique thing: I have an identical twin brother, him and I are almost exactly the same.

Name: Tucker Etheridge

School:  Blessed Trinity High School

Grad Year: 2013

Ht:  5'11

Wt:   225

GPA: overall    3.2

SAT/ACT:  Taking it March 10

Top 5 College Choices:

    1. Alabama

    2. Vanderbilt

    3. Ole Miss

    4. Auburn

    5. Appalachian State

Hobbies (name only three please): Fishing, Golf, Weightlifting

Other sports you play in HS:  None  

Favorite Food: Chicken Parmesan

Favorite Movie: Saving Private Ryan

Favorite Inspirational Quote: "First, I prepare. Then, I have faith." - Joe Namath

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would like to have dinner with Bear Bryant to learn more about the character traits that led to his success as a football coach.  I'm interested in his ability to motivate others while teaching them self-discipline, his perseverance in preparing the team physically and mentally, and how he balanced being a really tough coach with being a kind and generous man.   

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? My ability to snap under pressure and to snap consistently are what make me the best long snapper in the country.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I have the perfect snapping partner - my identical twin brother is a punter and a holder.

Name: Mike Lizanich

School: Pinnacle High School

Grad Year: 2013

Ht: 6ft

Wt: 225

GPA: 3.41

SAT/ACT: January 28th, 2012

Top 5 College Choices: 

    1. Wisconsin

    2. Oklahoma

    3. Mississippi

    4. Arizona

    5. Duke

Hobbies (name only three please): Working out, long snapping,

Other sports you play in HS: None

Favorite Food: Italian

Favorite Movie: Valkyrie

Favorite Inspirational Quote: "Success is getting up one more time then your knocked down"

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Abe Lincoln because he stayed on course and never wavered. 

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?

No one out works me. I do not fold under pressure. And even on my worst days I deliver.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?

I have owned multiple businesses.

Name: Cole Mazza

School: Liberty High School

Grad Year: 2013

Ht: 6'1

Wt: 240

GPA: overall 3.6

SAT/ACT: Took it Saturday January 28

Top 5 College Choices:

    1. Alabama 

    2. Oregon

    3. Georgia

    4. Tennessee 

    5. Washington

Hobbies (name only three please): playing basketball with friends, hanging out with friends, and working out. 

Other sports you play in HS: none 

Favorite Food: authentic Italian food

Favorite Movie: Friday Night Lights

Favorite Inspirational Quote: "Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? I would want to have dinner with Seth Rogan because he is the funniest actor I know and I love to be around people who can make me laugh really hard. 

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? I work harder and smarter then any other person out there and I want to be the best more then any other person out there. 

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I like to volunteer at the homeless center because it keeps me humble and makes me appreciate what I have. 

Name:  Gabriel Miller
School:  Penn High School
Grad Year:  2013
Ht: 6' 1"
Wt: 240
GPA: 3.875
SAT/ACT: 1540  (I will be taking it again at the end of my Junior year)

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Boston College
2. Alabama
3. Virginia Tech
4. Illinois
5. Vanderbilt
Hobbies: Weight lifting, Running, Spending time with my family

Other sports you play in HS: Wrestling, track, and I also run with the Cross Country team during the summer.

Favorite Food: Barbecue Ribs

Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans

Favorite Inspirational Quote: "Winning is not a some time thing it is an all the time thing.  You don't do things right once in a while... you do them right all the time."  Vince Lombardi

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?  Vince Lombardi - I would like to listen to all of his great stories and gain some knowledge from the greatest football coach of all time.

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?  I am the best long snapper in the country because of my focus, drive, confidence and determination.  I have the discipline, passion, mental toughness,  and spirit to outwork everyone.  I have the will to excel and the will to win.  

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?  My name is Gabriel, which means God is my might, and Hero of God.  I try to live up to this in every aspect of my life.  I hope that when people see me, and everything that I represent, they will see that I am different.  I don't just follow the crowd, I am a leader.

Name: Austin Orr

School: Cathedral High School of Indianapolis Indiana

Grad Year: 2013

Ht: 6'1"

Wt: 245

GPA: 3.0

SAT/ACT: Not yet taken

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Michigan

2. Penn State

3.West Virginia

4.Georgia Tech

5.Purdue

Hobbies (name only three please): Weight Training, listening to music, and long snapping

Other sports you play in HS: none

Favorite Food: Spaghetti

Favorite Movie: Transformers 2

Favorite Inspirational Quote: Everything is okay in the end, if it's not ok, it's not the end.

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? President Obama. We need to talk.

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? My size, strength, my consistantly accurate ball, my quick hands, and my blocking ability.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I only wear one contact (Sharp-Shooter Swag)

Name: Graydon Peterson 

School: Whitefish Bay High School 

Grad Year: 2013

Ht: 6’1’’

Wt: 230 lbs.

GPA: 3.824

SAT/ACT: SAT- March, ACT- April

Top 5 College Choices:

    1. Harvard

    2. Yale

    3. Stanford           

    4. Wisconsin

    5. Washington University St. Louis

Hobbies (name only three please): Reading, weightlifting, playing Clarinet

Other sports you play in HS: track and baseball

Favorite Food: Steak Frites with Béarnaise sauce

Favorite Movie: Young Frankenstein

Favorite Inspirational Quote: What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within us out into the world, miracles happen. 

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? If I could have dinner with one person it would be Albert Einstein because of his contributions to the world of modern physics, theory of general relativity and the photoelectric effect during a chaotic time in the world.

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? Everyone in the Top 12 can long snap with accuracy and consistency.   What differentiates me from the others is that I best exemplify the student athlete.  I am currently enrolled in AP Biology, AP American History and am registered for four AP classes next semester including English, French, Chemistry and Calculus.  I take care of business in the classroom and on the field.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I Irish danced competitively for several years and medaled at the Mid American Championships.

Scott Sypniewski 

Marquette Academy

Ottawa, IL

2013

6'1"

225 

3.3 GPA

ACT- will take in April 2012

Top 5 Colleges

1. Michigan

2. Iowa

3. Tenneesee

4. Nebraska

5. Western Michigan

Hobbies: working out, traveling, being with friends and family

Food: Lasagna

Movie: Miracle On Ice

Quote: "Hard work beats talent, when talent doesnt work hard." 

Dinner with one person: My grandma. She never had the chance to see snap. Also she loved Vegas.

Why am I the best Long Snapper in the country: I continue to train and improve every day.  I realize that long snapping is a selfless position.  It requires self- motivation and dedication.  I work countless hours on my snapping technique.  In college, I know how special it is to have the opportunity to be a long snapper.  Most times, during practice, we are left alone to practice while the rest of the team goes through their offensive and defensive practice.  I understand this responsibility and embrace it.  I will be the hardest worker on the team.

What is one unique quality about myself: I have dedicated myself to training.  During the week, I snap at 5:15am at Off the Bench (an indoor training center in Ottawa, IL) for 45 minutes.  After school, I drive 50 miles, each way and work out 60-90 minutes at Extreme Speed.  Extreme Speed is an elite training center owned and operated by 2 former College/NFL players, Tavian Banks and Kevin Kasper.

Name: Brendan Turelli

School: Arcadia High School

Grad Year: 2013

Ht: 6' 2"

Wt: 240

GPA: 3.1

SAT/ACT: have not recieved results yet

Top 5 College Choices:

   1. Miami FL

   2. TCU

   3. Baylor

   4. Oregon

   5. Nebraska

Hobbies (name only three please): ping pong, teaching my dogs tricks,

online shopping

Other sports you play in HS: used to play basketball but quit to focus

on long snapping

Favorite Food: fish tacos

Favorite Movie: Step Brothers

Favorite Inspirational Quote: I've missed more than 9000 shots in my

career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to

take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and

over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it

be and why? Ghandi, we would talk about his mind set and inner

strength when he was going through all the hate

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? consistency and

dedication to long snapping. all the friday nights and weekends i have

missed for training and competitions is completely

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know

about? i collect shoes and watches

Signing Day

One week from today, high school football players around the country will be signing on the dotted line to play for their respective schools. It is a great time of the year for all involved. It is Signing Day. It is covered by major sports affiliates and it begins the process of which college will dominate tomorrow with the stellar high school athletes of today.

With all the hoopla, comes questions....let me clear some things up for everyone. These are all from questions I have received over the years. Here you go and be sure to reference back to THIS blog I wrote about the difference between a full ride, a preferred walk-on and a standard walk-on:

Is Signing Day the only day an athlete can sign with a college? 
Absolutely not. It is just the first official day for the seniors to make their commitment official. A scholarship athlete can sign anytime on or after that day. You can literally sign the day you get on campus if you are a late pick-up for a school. The whole Signing Day is just a lot of pomp and circumstance that the media has turned it into an event.

Do Preferred Walk-Ons sign on Signing Day?
No, they do not. A preferred walk-on, although verbally committed to a school is NOT locked into that respective school. They have the option to change their mind to another school at any point if a scholarship comes their way. Not exactly the most kosher thing to do to a coach/program but they would most likely understand. I look at it like this, an athlete not taking a scholarship would be similar to a person not taking a free car and opting to pay for the same car.

If I sign with a college on scholarship, can I adjust after?
Sure, BUT you will lose a year of eligibility. Once you sign, you are done. Don't even think about transferring as it rarely works out and is an uphill battle to say the least. Think about it, why would a coach want an athlete that could not fit in at their first stop? A transfer athlete always brings up red flags...why is it going to work this time, why did he not get along with players and coaches at the first school, it is a homesick issue, is he a problem case, schooling? All are questions that a new coach is going to want to know about you. Bottom line, make your decision and stick with it.

How do the schools get the athletes signatures? 
Most athletes sign in the early morning and then fax them in to their new home (school).

Why have a Signing Day? 
It is the day your verbal commitment becomes official.

Can a junior that is offered a scholarship sign early?
Nope. They must wait just like the others within his graduating class. All of this waiting around gives way to all the committing and de-committing which coaches and sports writers absolutely love (dripping with sarcasm).

Is it true that scholarships have to be renewed every year by the school?
Yes. This is one of those things that not a lot of people know about but it is true. Every single year, the staff has to renew your scholarship for the next year. Therefore, if you are not producing as an athlete, student or person, your scholarship can not be renewed. It is not very common for it to happen, but I have witnessed it occur. Usually, a social issue is the final straw in saying bye bye to your education being paid for by the school.

What can go wrong with the Signing Day process?
Several things and most involve the fax machine. If the exact form is not sent in signed properly, the deal is not sealed. Many schools have lost an athlete because the Letter of Intent was faxed upside down, backwards or just not clear. Then, when they tell the student-athlete to do it again, said athlete often takes it as an omen that it wasn't meant to be and poof! a new school is chosen. Trust me, it does happen.

All in all, Signing Day is a great thing that should be cherished by all but definitely don't feel as though it is the end all be all. No matter when you sign, you are still going to be on full scholarship with your school paid for, and that is the most important thing.

(Click HERE to listen and/or download this blog as a podcast)

Dear Vegas,

Dear Vegas,

I just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you for your hospitality this weekend. I know you have a lot going on with concerts, conventions and shows but I really don't think you truly understand what occurred within the last 96 hours. Allow me to explain….

You housed the largest Long Snapping Event that the world has ever encountered. That's right, you had over 160 Long Snappers representing almost 40 states, two countries and ranging in ages from 13 to 20 in your city on Saturday and Sunday. They all came to your city to learn and compete against one another. I am pretty confident you noticed who they were as they tend to spend more time upside down than right side up and often can snap a ball faster than they can actually throw it the "normal" way. I also heard that many fully embraced your 24 hour buffet pass (great idea by the way), several were spotted actually stopping traffic with an impromptu flash mob and one Long Snapper with a plethora of personality actually proposed to a random woman! Given, she said yes as she obviously knew Long Snappers are a handsome bunch with hearts of gold. (breathe parents, the proposal, although actually acted out, was just a joke by the Long Snapper).

It was truly a tremendous weekend with several firsts. For the first time, there was a Long Snapper that stood closer to 7' tall than 6'. He was a fine young man that ended up winning the whole event. For the first time, I had two high school Long Snappers snap a ball 15 yards under .60 seconds! I know your city is used to seeing amazing things, but let me explain just how rare that is…..really, really rare:) Even more impressive, one of the Long Snappers is just a junior! For the first time, there was 13 college and pro instructors (usual number is 6-9) that were outstanding in all aspects and made my job a lot easier.

With all the staggering numbers, you would think the actual snapping was the top "thing" of the weekend. Hardly. As you probably noticed, I had my sunglasses on for a heavy majority of the weekend. Two reasons: 1) my eyes are very sensitive to light and 2) I don't want anyone to know where I am actually looking. In being hidden with my viewing, I was able to spy out many things. I saw great snaps from all over the field (given). I saw push up bets with participants and instructors about getting perfect laces on pats. I saw Long Snappers fully embracing one another when seeing each other for the first time after a long hiatus. I saw parents catching up with old friends that they have met through the Long Snapping world. I saw parents holding their breath while their son was testing on The Target. I saw veteran Long Snappers ooze with confidence. I saw college and pro Long Snappers go from being shy about the pro demo to fighting over reps. I saw two thirds of The Triplets telling stories and sporting, shockingly, all black. I saw, and continue to see, Facebook and Twitter literally blowing up with updates from your city. I saw countless texts from college Long Snappers who wished they were back in your city for this Event. 

The final thing I saw was the most powerful. I saw parents and Long Snappers not wanting to leave when the weekend was over. I stood back. Watched. Observed. Tons of Long Snappers and parents congregating on the field well after the last ball was snapped trying to find an excuse to not leave. It was like a party that you simply didn't want to end. I loved it. My heart was full.

As I write this, I almost get a bit sad thinking that the weekend is over and we must move on. But, then I stop and realize we will do it all again soon. 

See you in May, Vegas! You have fair warning. Be ready for the Long Snappers. They are a unique group………and they don't like it too hot, so see if you can work on that for them:)

With Much Appreciation, 

Rubio

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