Interview with University of Texas Long Snapper Nate Boyer

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter


 

Long Snapper Nate Boyer before running on the field before the game

 

Special Teams University Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter was able to catch up with former UT long snapper Nate Boyer as he prepares for his pro day and attends a few college senior combines.

 

If you don't know Nate's story, here is some background on him: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-unlikely-story-of-a-long-snapping-green-beret-with-an-nfl-dream-022552855-ncaaf.html

 

 

Long Snapper Nate Boyer 2013 NFF Legacy Award Recipient

 

1. How did you learn to long snap? When did you learn to snap?

I taught myself to long snap by watching Youtube videos and just trial and error. I learned to snap 3 years ago.

 

2. How nervous were you going into your first game?

The first snap was a little nerve racking just bc I knew the team was relying on me and I didn't want to let them down.

 

Long Snapper Nate Boyer hands a ball to a young fan pregame
 

3. What was it like walking onto a big program?

Walking onto Texas was an amazing experience. There's nothing like playing in front of 101,000 people.

 

Long Snapper Nate Boyer shakes hands with fans before the game
 

4. Has your age helped or hurt you?

It's been tough with my age for people to take me seriously, however my experiences give me a sort of confidence that I think is an advantage.

 

5. When did you decide the NFL was a goal of yours?

I decided to shoot for the NFL just a couple of months ago after I played in an all-star game and received from interest from scouts.

 

Long Snapper Nate Boyer running down field on a punt

 

6. How did you transition from punt snaps to FG snaps?

I actually started out doing field goal snaps, the transition was easy because they are completely different long snaps.

 

7. Is there a similarity between being a soldier and a football player? Differences?

 

Football and combat have absolutely nothing in common, but the discipline to be a soldier and play football at an elite level have many things in common.

 

Long Snapper Nate Boyer posing for a picture over-seas

8. What has been your favorite moment of playing for the University of Texas?

My favorite moment was coming from behind in the 4th quarter to beat Oregon State in the Alamo Bowl a few days after my best friend passed away, and then beating OU in the Cotton Bowl the next season.

 

9. Who are some long snappers you look up to?

I don't really know too many other long snappers, but I guess I'd say Jon Dorenbos from the Philadelphia Eagles because he has such an amazing story.

Check out our interview with Jon Dorenbos here: http://specialteamsu.blogspot.com/2013/03/special-teams-university-interviews.html

 

Long Snapper Nate Boyer after a win

 

10. How much have you evolved as a snapper from when you started until now?

Any advice for young snappers?

I'm constantly evolving and trying new things when it comes to long snapping. Since I've only been doing it for 2 years there is still much room for improvement. My advice is get your butt in shape. Just because you long snap it is not an excuse to be a non-athlete. Get in the weight room and work harder than anyone else, at any position group. It will produce results you couldn't even imagine if you're willing to sacrifice.

 

University of Texas Long Snapper Nate Boyer

 

We wish Nate the best of luck in his pursuit of the NFL!

 

 

www.Special-Teams-University.com

Long Snapping Tips and Tricks Brought to You by Special Teams University

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

We have started a weekly long snapping video series called "Long Snapping Tips and Tricks". The purpose of these videos is to educate long snappers and coaches about basic techniques and little tricks picked up from the experience Coach Famiglietti and I picked up from playing at the Division 1 and Professional levels. A new video will be posted every Wednesday! We want to share our advice with all of you to help you become better long snappers!

Check out our videos, give them a like, and start getting better today! The newest videos are at the bottom, please view them all! We don't want you to miss out on anything!

Enjoy!

Under Armour All American Long Snapper Jordan Butler

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

This is Jordan Butler, long snapper from Arizona who was selected to play in the 2015 Under Armour All American game. Hard work, dedication, and persistence will get you far. 

Here is his story:

"Hello, my name is Jordan Butler. I am the long snapper for Saguaro High School. I am also the 1st pick long snapper for the 2015 Under Armour All American Game. 

Long Snapping Lesson with Valparaiso Long Snapper

By: Long Snapping Coach Mike Famiglietti

In the Summer of 2014 I was reunited with a long snapper I had experience with before, Wesley Manderscheid. We played against each other our senior year of high school and am now very impressed with him as both a long snapper and a person.

Long Snapping in the rain

Wesley is a very talented long snapper who has great size, good technique, and much experience with snapping at the college level and in poor weather. He is entering his final year at Valparaiso University and has aspirations of continuing to snap at the next level. With the strides he has made today, I say we should all look out for this long snapper to make waves in the near future.

Long Snapping Lesson with a Lindenwood Lion

By: Long Snapping Coach Mike Famiglietti

In June 2014, I stumbled across a young long snapper named Andrew Bair on Facebook due to our mutual long snapping connections and being located at nearby colleges.

Andrew Bair is a great sized long snapper who recently finished his freshman year and hopes to earn even more playing time for Lindenwood University this fall! He snaps with a lot of force and power that definitely shows in his frame. On July 9, 2014 we met up for a long snapping lesson that will really help Andrew be able to start almost anywhere in the country

Long Snappers: Work until your idols become your rivals

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

2009: I was just finishing up my college career and all I knew is that I didn't want to be done playing the game that I loved.

2010: I joined the St. Paul Pioneers semi pro football team and had a successful year making the All-Star team at the finish of the season.

2011: I had been playing semi pro and had been very successful as a long snapper. I started looking up ways I could try to get to the next level. I found Michael Husted's pro camp through talking with Michael through my NCS connection and started looking into it. They ranked the snappers and would post their videos on youtube.

I remember watching these long snappers, researching where they were from, and just amazed at how good they were. I looked up to them and began following them. Watching them gain tryouts with teams, make it to camp, get into the NFL. Thats what I wanted to do.

2012: I decided to go out to Las Vegas for the Husted pro camp. I was extremely nervous because this was my first attempt at going pro. I remember seeing a handful of guys that I had been following, a lot of them had been with NFL teams which I thought was so cool. I went through the pro camp not knowing how I was doing, I am always pretty hard on myself when it comes to snapping so I didn't think I did so great, especially being around guys that talented.

At the end of camp I ended up getting a 5 star rating. I had no idea I was THAT good! I had competed with these guys I had been following and I'm on their level. That was so cool for me. Although no NFL teams came calling I was able to pick up an NFL agent from this camp which I never even imagined.

A few months later I attended an open tryout for a professional league I had heard of before, the United Football League. The Sacramento Mountain Lions were having a tryout so I decided it would be a good opportunity to showcase my skills since the NFL hadn't called yet. I went out there and competed with a snapper who had been with multiple NFL teams before. The Mountain Lions ended up choosing me over the experienced Division 1 long snapper.

2013: I went back to the Husted camp with one goal in mind. Be #1... I knew this was a high goal but I had put in a lot of work, played in a professional league and was ready. The pro camp was full of extremely good long snappers again from very prestigious division one programs all over the nation. Once again some had been with NFL teams, I had not...I had only my UFL experience behind me.
The week went by and I thought I did well. I wasn't sure if I had achieved my goal, but sure enough, when the rankings came out I was #1.

2014: Frustrated that nothing came out of my #1 ranking at last years pro camp I had told myself that if nothing happened out of this years camp I was going to hang up my cleats and pursue coaching and teaching.

Camp came and I thought I did the best I had ever done. Competed well against the best competition I had seen at camps before and had a near perfect chart day in front of the NFL scouts.

After camp I had heard a few teams were interested but I had learned not to get my hopes up over talk...
A few weeks later I was sitting at home when my phone rang. A number from New Jersey was calling. I answered and had my ticket booked for a tryout with the New York Jets.

At the tryout I competed with a guy I had watched from previous camps, a previous #1 ranked long snapper. A very successful tryout led to us both being brought back for rookie mini camp. It was a great experience that just goes to show that you need to "work until your idols are your rivals". Im not done, I still have idols that I plan on making my rivals someday soon.

A great saying that got me where I am today and I hope gets you to where you are going.

 

www.Special-Teams-University.com

Long Snapping Lessons with Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

As a long snapper who has played at the highest level, I know what it takes to get there. Coming from a small high school in Wisconsin, playing at a small college in Wisconsin, and then taking an unconventional road to the professional level, I have encountered every scenario, and problem a long snapper can run into. From these experiences I bring to a wealth of knowledge to long snapping lessons of not only the art of long snapping but what it takes mentally and physically to get there. (Read about my journey here) 

Kyle Stelter Earns Tryout at New York Jets Rookie Mini Camp

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

The past month has been a crazy time for me. I haven't posted for a while, but plan on getting back to this regularly, so stay tuned!

In April this year I flew out to San Diego to attend the annual Husted Pro Camp. I have been to this camp 2 times already in 2012 and 2013. Both years I had performed very well and received a 5 star long snapping ranking with nothing to show, no invites to camp.

Special Teams University Travels to Texas

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

This post is a little late, I have been a little busy but I hope you enjoy!

November 8th 2013 I was able to fly down to San Antonio Texas to meet up with one of my long snapping students Jesse Medrano who plays for the University of Texas San Antonio.

Special Teams U Long Snapper Commits to Duke

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

Special Teams University works with long snappers of all ages to help them reach their goals, so when one finally reaches their dream of playing college football there is no better feeling!

Long Snapping Lessons with Teddy Bowie and Ross Markham

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

Wednesday August 7th I had the opportunity to meet up with long time long snapping client Ross Markham formerly of Stillwater High School, now a student athlete at the US Coast Guard Academy! Ross came to me a few years ago looking to better his long snapping, and get better he did!

Private Long Snapping Lesson With Jordan Winegar

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

Sunday July 28th I met up with Jordan Winegar of St. Croix Central High School to work on his long snapping. Jordan had been taking some time off to work on some prescribed flexibility training along with some fundamental work on his own. Coming into today I was hoping that he had made some progress in his training and he very much surprised me today!

Long Snapping Lesson With Jackson Hunzelman

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

Friday July 26th I was able to meet up with Edina MN long snapper Jackson Hunzelman. Jackson will be a senior this year for Edina and wanted to work on his long snapping skills in order to help his team and hopefully get noticed by some college teams in the process.

Creating a Long Snapping Highlight Film For Coaches

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

Creating a Long Snapping Highlight Film for College Coaches

Sunday July 13th I met up with James Ring of The Blake School in MN to help him create a highlight film of his snaps to send out to college coaches. I have been coaching James for a while now although there is still work to do to get better, he has shown great improvement!

Long Snapping Lessons with Weston Berg and Nick Clements

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

Sunday July 7th I met up with 2 of my students to work on their long snapping. The first lesson I held was with a new student Weston Berg of Stillwater MN. Weston attends New Life Academy in Woodbury MN where he is a tight end, linebacker, and long snapper for the team.

Weston has a tall build with long levers which is great for long snapping. With the right training I think he could be rated as a top long snapper in the country!

Today's lesson with Weston was mostly an introduction to a new style of long snapping. Weston has been snapping for a few years but was only using his arms to snap the ball. He was able to get a decent spiral with accuracy but lacked speed in his snaps.

We started the lesson with the basic warm up including a dynamic stretching/warm up session followed by release drills and some basic instruction on grip along with proper release. Weston is a very smart athlete and picked up on everything I was teaching him very quickly.

After the warm up we jumped right into leg lock. I believe leg lock is one of the most important aspects of the long snap! I know that obviously if you can't get a spiral your not going to be very good but since Weston was able to snap a spiral we jumped ahead a little. Leg lock is not an easy skill to learn, but once it is mastered it will add a significant "pop" to your snaps. We did a few drills to learn this as well as slowing it down and breaking it up into smaller sections in order to learn it.

One drill I like to do a lot is to use a band to add resistance to the slow motion aspect of learning not only leg lock but the arm motion involved.

Weston made huge improvements today which were very evident in not only his snap speed, but his snap location and spiral!! 

This is Weston's snapping before we started. Not bad but needed improvement!

He used only his arms to propel the ball back to the punter which technically works I guess... but as a long snapping coach I know that every special teams coach out there wants the snap to not only be accurate, but fast as well!!

Here is Weston's snap after an hour lesson with long snapping coach Kyle Stelter. Notice his snap looks more smooth and you can really tell a difference in the speed! Targeting and snap location will come as he becomes more confident with the new form. There will also be a bigger increase in speed as he masters leg lock and his hand speed improves!!

I will be seeing Weston again very soon for consistent long snapping training to help him get to the next level.

My second lesson of the day was with Semi-pro long snapper Nick Clements. Nick plays for the Lake Superior Rage near Duluth MN. Nick and I have been working for over a year now and he has been making steady improvements every time.

The first time I saw Nick he struggled to get the ball back to the punter at 15 yards as well as was unable to snap a tight spiral. Over time he has become a very reliable long snapper at this level and is extremely accurate. 

During Nick's lesson we worked on using the field goal post as a target working on hitting the pole and then working on footwork for blocking. Nick rarely missed the pole and when he did it was a great teaching moment as he was over thinking and too tense while snapping.

Long snappers should be confident yet relaxed when snapping. Ask any snapper that has ever snapped in a big game, they will tell you that there is no need to put any extra pressure on yourself. Prepare yourself during the offseason and practice so you can trust and rely on yourself during games. 

If you are looking for great long snapping instruction that will not only give you the right tools physically to succeed, but the right tools mentally, then you should check out Special Teams University! 

715-222-3407

CoachStelter@gmail.com

www.Special-Teams-University.com

Long Snapper Stephen Gabbard Commits to Florida State

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

Long snapper Stephen Gabbard of Godby High School committed to Florida State University following in his fathers footsteps. Stephen's father was a former defensive lineman and graduate assistant at FSU. Stephen's mother and relatives also attended FSU as well linking a long line of family to the school.

Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter Joins Kicking for the Dream Fight Against Cancer

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

Professional long snapper and long snapping coach Kyle Stelter has joined Billy Cundiff in the fight against Ovarian cancer by becoming a member of Kicking for the Dream!

2013 Preseason All-American Long Snappers

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

Every season Phil Steele, writer of College Football Preview, comes out with his College Football Preseason All-American list. This list is looked at by many people and is an awesome one because he gives some love to the long snapper!

Canadian Long Snapper News: Ryan King Suits Up For Edmonton

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

Going into his 2nd season as the Edmonton Eskimo's long snapper, Ryan King is showing a little more cool than last year.

Long Snapping Trick Shot Video From Future USC Long Snapper

By: Long Snapping Coach Kyle Stelter

As a long snapping coach I have been sent a lot of film to look at. Every once in a while I will get the occasional long snapping trick shot video which is always an attention grabber. Anyone who has been long snapping for a while has probably tried a trick shot of some kind, some however have received national attention for their trick shot skills!