Latest news with #PatrickMannellyAward
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Four Gators named Phil Steele Preseason All-Americans
Four Gators named Phil Steele Preseason All-Americans Four Florida Gators made the Phil Steele Preseason All-America team this year, according to 247Sports, but none of those names are DJ Lagway. Jake Slaughter headlines the list as an AP All-American at the close of the 2024 season; however, Steele has him on his Second Team. The only First Team member from Florida this year is long snapper Rocco Underwood, who claimed the Patrick Mannelly Award last season as the best at his position. Defensive lineman Caleb Banks is on the Third Team after a strong finish to the 2024 campaign. He had the chance to enter the NFL draft but opted to stay with the Gators for another season. Looking to improve his draft stock, Banks could be among the best linemen in the SEC this season. He had 12 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery over 10 starts last year. Redshirt sophomore Eugene Wilson III is a somewhat surprising addition to the Fourth Team from Steele. Wilson was among the better freshmen receivers two years ago, but injuries slowed him down and forced a redshirt last year. Steele is assuming a return to form from Wilson with DJ Lagway throwing the ball to him. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
11-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bengals' Zac Taylor reveals surprise roster battle for training camp
Bengals' Zac Taylor reveals surprise roster battle for training camp Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor isn't kidding when he says the team will host competitions at every position this summer during training camp. Case in point, Taylor made it clear during rookie minicamp that even the long-snapper spot is up for grabs after the arrival of undrafted free agent William Wagner. According to Geoff Hobson of Taylor says that Wagner will have a chance to push Cal Adomitis for that starting spot. RELATED: Bengals, Trey Hendrickson contract saga gets another update A finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award last year as the top player in the sport at his position, Wagner comes from the Michigan Wolverines and will get to rep alongside Adomitis. This is a little unexpected for the Bengals, especially considering Clark Harris held down the position for so long from 2009-2022. Notably, the Bengals had procedural issues on special teams before Evan McPherson's injury last year, so while this isn't as headline-grabbing as other positional battles, it's certainly notable for a team that needs to get right across all three phases. RELATED: Bengals' Trey Hendrickson, Germaine Pratt standoffs updated
USA Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dolphins waive rookie long snapper after only 2 practices
Dolphins waive rookie long snapper after only 2 practices The Miami Dolphins waived rookie long snapper Kneeland Hibbett after only two practices, the team announced Saturday. Hibbett was one of 16 undrafted rookies who signed with the Dolphins on Friday. Following the team's decision to part with veteran Blake Ferguson, Hibbett was briefly the only long snapper on the Dolphins' roster. But later Friday, the team announced that veteran long snapper Joe Cardona, who spent the last 10 seasons with the New England Patriots, was added to the roster. The Dolphins also brought in undrafted rookie Jacob Garcia on a three-day tryout contract. It's unclear for now if the decision to part with Hibbett is a reflection of Garcia's performance in the first couple days of rookie minicamp. The long snapper position proved to be a revolving door for the Dolphins in 2024 after Ferguson landed on the non-football illness list early in the year. For the remainder of the season, the Dolphins signed veteran long snappers to their practice squad and elevated them to the active roster on a weekly basis. Tucker Addington, Jake McQuaide, Matt Overton, and Zach Triner each played three games as the Dolphins' long snapper. Hibbett spent the last four seasons as the long snapper for the Alabama Crimson Tide. In 2024, he was one of 10 semifinalists for the Patrick Mannelly Award, recognizing the top long snapper in college football.
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers work out a trio of long snappers—is LS Christian Kuntz's time in Pittsburgh over?
Steelers work out a trio of long snappers—is LS Christian Kuntz's time in Pittsburgh over? The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly bringing in three long snappers for workouts—Peter Bowden, Matt Hembrough, and Sean Wracher—which could spell the beginning of the end for 30-year-old LS Christian Kuntz's time in the Steel City. Bowden, a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award—given annually to college football's best long snapper—played for Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023 and signed with the Packers after going undrafted. He was subsequently released and later joined the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad in 2024. Hembrough played for Oklahoma State from 2019 to 2022 and signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023. Wracher, a semifinalist for the coveted Patrick Mannelly Award, spent five seasons as Indiana University's long snapper from 2019 to 2023. He was invited to the New York Giants' training camp in 2024. Kuntz, the starting long snapper for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has played in 68 games for the Black and Gold since 2021. He signed a three-year extension with the team in 2024, but there is a potential out in the contract for 2025. Could the Steelers realistically be setting up for life after Kuntz? And if so, will one of these long snappers be the one to take over for the veteran special teamer?
