Back in April of 2021, during the final day of the NFL Draft, history was made for one position.
While kickers and punters had their share of the spotlight through the years with high profile names selected, the long snapping position had never been one that any team had ever thought about as a draft selection.
With so many gifted position players and linemen who fill out rosters, the very thought of using one of those coveted picks to take a long snapper was laughable at best.
For decades if teams needed a long snapper, they would sign one as a free agent, so it never came up during draft meetings.
When Alabama long snapper Thomas Fletcher came off the board at 222nd overall to the Carolina Panthers, and three picks later, Michigan snapping specialist Camaron Cheeseman went to Washington at 225, the entire landscape of the position had changed forever.
The perception of long snappers doing about as much as kickers played in the heads of general managers and coaches league wide. But when teams started to lose games because of bad snaps, the focus started to change, and more high school athletes, who were once linemen, started to rethink their future.
Today, any college in America that is successful has a long snapper on scholarship – and for a position that was overlooked in the past is now taking center stage.
Potential long snappers are starting out early, attending everything possible to improve and get noticed.
With many kicking specialty showcases and camps now changing to a special teams theme, the opportunity to snap at the next level and beyond.
At the recent Brandon Kornblue Summer Specialty event held in Fort Lauderdale at Calvary Christian Academy, there were elite kickers and punters on display, but the showcase also attracted some of the elite long snappers from throughout the country and across the Sunshine State.
The focus on Miami-Dade and Broward prospects came into play when Miami Christopher Columbus senior Jonathan Zarut took home the title among 2024 prospects, the nationally rated standout once again put himself in a spotlight that college coaches often check out.
Other 2024 long snappers who also received recognition Jackson Harper (Deerfield Beach) and St. Thomas Aquinas prospect James McDevitt.
The Raiders displayed depth at the position in the 2025 class when Chase Ortiz took first place and Miami Ransom Everglades’ Chase White finished third. Daniel Gonzalez (Miami Christopher Columbus) and Damani Spencer (Davie Western) also made an impression.
When Charles Becker transferred in the off-season from Miami Coral Reef to Miami St. Brendan, the Sabres knew they were getting something special. In the 2026 class, Becker finished second. Also, Joshua Silverstein who came to Plantation American Heritage from Cardinal Gibbons, is also one of the best in the state.
UPDATED: August 11, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..