Long snappers used to be an afterthought in college football. The job often went to a reserve lineman or linebacker who was decent enough at throwing the ball between his legs to the punter or holder.
But recently, things have changed. Long snappers are often scholarship players who enter college as specialists. Coaches want them big enough to block, but mobile enough to sprint down the field and make tackles too. Oh, and they have to be accurate snappers as well. Simply put: in 2023, long snappers are important, and they can be playmakers.
The latest example is Will Benton, a senior long snapper for SMU.
On Saturday against Navy, Benton snapped a ball to the Mustangs punter on what everyone expected to be a routine fourth down play. But the Midshipmen’s returner muffed the catch, and Benton was down the field to pounce on the ball as it rolled into the endzone for a touchdown.
So, yes, that means a long snapper recovered a ball he snapped for a score.
This is Will Benton (@WillBenton10).
Will is our long-snapper.Will just recovered a punt, that
HE SNAPPED, for a touchdown.A lot to unpack here. Enjoy ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JqXp8gXkK3
— SMU Football (@SMUFB) November 25, 2023
It’s noticeable in that clip that, as soon as Benton hikes the ball, he is sprinting down the middle of the field untouched. He winds up being the second player near the ball as it flies through the air and through the mitts of a Navy player. It’s the idea of a long snapper being not just a long snapper, but “the third gunner” too.
Kirk Benedict – who now works at Georgia as a Special Teams Analyst – explained it to SB Nation a few years ago:
“We call our long snapper the third gunner. So, he’s got to be down there making an effect on the return. If he’s not, our goal is to have a guy who can impact their scheme in some way. He’s either drawing an extra defender, or he’s down there in the returner’s face.”
