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

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 Jordan Winegar and Travis Shackleton

Sunday Jan 27th I was able to meet up with freshman long snapper from St. Croix Central High School Jordan Winegar, and Senior long snapper from Baldwin-Woodville High School Travis Shackleton.

Jordan just started attending long snapping lessons last month while Travis has been a student of Special Teams University for 4 years.

Travis was one of my very first students. When I first got started coaching long snappers, the head coach at Baldwin-Woodville High School brought me in to work with a handful of young men that he thought would be good candidates to be his long snappers.

Special Teams University Long Snapping Lesson with James Ring

December 30th 2012 I met up with James Ring and his father Dave for our second long snapping lesson. We met in Stillwater MN at the Stillwater Soccer Dome.

This facility is great because it is very large and is a great distance for me to get into MN and work with my clients there. The last time we had a long snapping lesson we focused on very basic aspects of snapping due to the fact that James was a beginner that had no previous long snapping instruction.

Winter NCS Camp Hosted by Special Teams University and Husted Kicking

December 29th 2012 Brady Beeson and I partnered up Husted Kicking and Special Teams University to put on a National Camp Series evaluation camp in Vadnais Heights Minnesota.

The camp was held in the Vadnais Heights Dome which was an extremely nice facility. We had enough room for all 15 of our athletes to compete and learn. I had a total of 4 long snappers attend the portion of the clinic that I was coaching.

Special Teams University Long Snapping Lesson with James Ring

Dec 27th 2012 I met up with James Ring and his father Dave for our first long snapping lesson together. James is a student at The Blake High School in Minnesota. While talking with James I found out that he has snapped in 8th grade and this past year for his football team but has had no prior instruction to long snapping.

Usually during a first lesson I like to cover the basics of what I teach and get a feel for what the student knows and can do already. We started off by checking his grip which was good, we were on the same page, then we went into how to properly release the ball. James was able to get a spiral before but was not releasing the ball quite the way I would like him to.

Special Teams University Long Snapping Lesson With Ross Markham

Tuesday Dec 18th I was able to meet up with one of my students Ross Markham. I first met Ross while I was a counselor at the UW-RF kicking, punting, and long snapping camp back in 2007.

We started doing private long snapping lessons in 2011 so that he could help his chances of making it on the football team for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Ross is currently attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and was the backup long snapper his freshman year. We plan on changing that soon.

Working live snap, hold, kicks

My Story - Kyle Stelter Owner Of Special Teams University

I stole this from a friend but live my life this way

I want to give you a little background on how I got into long snapping and my story.

(Just a heads up, I have a horrible memory so digging deep into my past is tough...haha) The first memory I have of long snapping is from my freshman year of high school.

Like many freshman teams, the special teams portion is not quite developed and not many guys even know how to snap, kick, or punt.

Somehow I was wrangled into long snapping and knew just enough about snapping to get the ball back to the punter and holder.