Today we feature #1 for 2016 Jonathan Den Bleyker!
What is your occupation?
Production Control Scheduler at SpaceX. I’m a part of the team that oversees the precision tube fabrication for the Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
Where do you live?
Los Angeles, California
Married? Kids?
Recently engaged to my awesome partner of 5 years. No kids yet, but definitely planning on it some day.
What is your fondest memory of your time playing college football?
My fondest memory is less so an individual experience, but the experience itself. I got to play in stadiums that I dreamed about playing in as a kid, learn from prominent coaches, and be a part of a great group of teammates for four years.
If you could give ONE bit of advice to the current Rubio Long Snappers, what would it be? Snapping PARENTS, what would it be?
My one piece of advice for current Rubio Long Snappers would be to enjoy the experience. There will be a day where you will no longer be a part of a football program and you should try your best to live in the moment. Be where your feet are!
For the parents, I would say to be as supportive as you can be of your snapper; but you shouldn’t be the driver of this journey. Allow your child to lead and put in what they want to gain from the experience.
When was the last time you snapped a ball and for what reason?
The last time I snapped a ball was about a year ago when I was teaching my fiancée how to snap (she has a great spiral at 10 yards!).
If you could go back and play football in college again, would you go to the same school or a different one? Why?
I would no question go to UCLA if I could do it all over again. I had the opportunity to learn from so many great coaches and educators who I feel helped shape the path I’m on today. I made lifelong friends and it’s where I met my fiancée. Attending UCLA was a great experience and I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who helped me get there.
Any regrets during college? Anything you wish you had done or hadn’t done?
I really don’t believe I have any regrets from college. I’m very happy with the journey I’m on and I feel that any highs or lows from college have helped forge the path I’m on right now.
What tremendous thing have you been a part of or experienced since you graduated?
There are two major ones that I can think of:
1). Becoming an uncle to an absolutely adorable niece.
2). Being a part of SpaceX’s last two years where we broke launch records and I had the opportunity to serve as the Orbital Welding Lead for an awesome team.
Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. Rubio has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the USA Today, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated and countless other publications.
Offering the best instruction and most exposure in the world, Rubio Long Snapping can help you to become the best snapper you can be!
In just 20 years, Chris Rubio, President and Owner of Rubio Long Snapping, has become the #1 Long Snapping instructor in the country and the go-to man when a college coach needs a Long Snapper. Colleges from across the country rely on “Rubio’s” word day in and day out on who the best Long Snappers are in the country. Rubio Long Snapping has assisted in over 1,850 Long Snappers earning full scholarships and preferred walk-on opportunities to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.
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Great to be back on my HS camp with a tremendous group of Long Snappers and their parents!
