Day One Recap of the 11th Annual Spring Event in Las Vegas

Day one is complete and the talent was overwhelming in Vegas for the 11th Annual National Snapping Event. Well over 120 Long Snappers from all over the country and Canada are in attendance to compete against one another.

Today was devoted simply to instruction with some live snapping. The live snapping was great in showing who was ready for a real national event.

After everything was said and done today, the top performing Long Snappers were….

2013/JC
– Wyatt Smith continues to dominate and look great.
– Jason Diffee looked the best I have seen him and was extremely impressive.
– Cody Block looks very strong and was snapping a consistent ball
– Kevin Fennel looked solid & has a great attitude.
– Andrew MacLean showed that Canadians make excellent Long Snappers.
– Wesley Bertoni was snapping very hard today and looked good.

2014
– Alan Lucy was just outstanding all day. He is snapping with a purpose and it’s awesome to watch.
– Tanner Carew was on fire and snapping with severe speed all day.
– Adam Vaught was using his massive frame very well all day.
– Christian Samarzich was nailing down his spiral and snapping with great confidence.
– Nate Adams looks great and is consistent with his snap. Strong.
– CJ Keller is smooth, consistent and snaps a nice, hard ball.
– Curtis Billen might have the quickest snap in the country.
– Reid Buckingham is built well and houses great form.
– Seth Combs looked confident and snapped hard.
– JC Everett looks to have locked down his spiral. I’m very interested to see him tomorrow.
– Patrick Freeze is massive and has the ability to be dominate.
– Jordan Frese is really coming along nicely. Could dominate tomorrow.
– Garrett Frum continues to improve and just keeps moving on up.
– Justin Garza was very impressive and was just ripping the ball back to the punters.
– Mitchell Hardy looked solid and consistent.
– Nate Hawkins is smooth & the harder he snaps, the better he is.
– Clayton Jackson looked very solid Nd impressed.
– Connor Kelsey caught a groove and really performed extremely well today.
– Joseph Lang has the ability to go very far with his Long Snapping.
– Brandon Locha is accurate and consistent. Speed will be key.
– John Morrison looked comfortable and was snapping the ball very hard all day.
– Kyle Murphy can be dominant once everything clicks. When it does, he will dominate.
– Tommy Sullivan looked great and snapped hard. Impressive.
– Casey Wilson is beyond smooth and just great. Blocking will be the key for him.

2015
– Blake Ferguson is a Long Snapper with great size and oozing confidence.
– AJ Carty is snapping hard and it just great. Blocking and accuracy will be key.
– Liam McCullough is massive and great. Everything is starting to click again. Tomorrow will be big.
– Tyler Douglas is built well and snaps a hard ball.
– Grant Gluhaich REALLY impressed me with the speed of his snap. Watch him tomorrow.
– George Madden looked solid and if he can lock down his spiral, he will dominate.
– Ben Makowski is good…very good. The more he knows that, the better he does.
– Tyler Moore is at his best when he just lets the ball fly out of his hands.
– Ryan Simmons continues to impress me with his drive and consistency.
– Chase Urbach was snapping extremely well and looked great.

2016
– Donald Reiter is thick and was snapping a very solid ball.
– Damon Johnson is still catching his grove, but when he does, he is phenomenal for his age
– Johnny Den Bleyker continues to impress me. Snaps a great ball and is very athletic.
– Conner Kirkegaard snaps the ball hard and handles pressure well.
– John Shannon is excellent for his age. Once he gets really comfortable, he will dominate.

Tomorrow, we will focus on the competition aspect of the camp. Long Snappers will be tested on The Rubio Target, filmed for YouTube, run a 40 yard dash, timed by Rubio and will be live snapping to the punters & kickers.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@TheChrisRubio) and on Facebook (Rubio Long Snapping) for continuous updates tomorrow and in the future.

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Rubio Long Snapper Erik Thompson Commits to UCLA….for Rugby!

Rubio Long Snapper and TOP 12er Erik Thompson has committed to UCLA for rugby!

Erik had fantastic grades, is as tough as nails and obviously a tremendous athlete and I am very proud of him.

Some might ask if I am upset that he isn’t Long Snapping in college? My answer, as long as he is happy, I am happy. THAT is, and always is, the most important thing to me with my “kids.”

Congratulations once again to Erik Thompson!

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How to Focus Prior to a Rubio Long Snapping Camp?

If you are considering attending a Rubio Long Snapping Camp, or are already signed up, you will want to make sure you are prepared. One of the ways to prepare is to clear your mind, focus, concentrate, and wipe out jittery nerves. Here are some suggestions.

 

 

  • Create some clear camp goals ahead of time. How will you determine if you’ve had a successful camp if you don’t have goals?
  • Recognize you are not going to camp to show what you know you are going to find out what you don’t know.
  • Prepare yourself physically to build your confidence. Run sprints, stretch. Get your body ready and your mind will follow.
  • Know what to expect. Read and ask questions. You don’t need the added stress of the unknown.
  • Focus on the successes of your sporting career. Remember and picture those moments of victory and success as clearly and as detailed as possible in your memory.
  • If you can, talk to someone who has experienced a Rubio Long Snapping Camp.

These are some solid ways to get you mentally prepared for camp. Just remember, if you pay attention and follow through with instructions, you are extremely likely to improve your skills and knowledge. It is just the “how much” that is in doubt. Good luck and enjoy camp.

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Highlight Videos Available Through Rubio Long Snapping

Rubio Long Snapping is happy to announce that Highlight Videos will now be available for purchase at Rubio Long Snapping Camps/Events.  The very first opportunity to purchase a professional quality highlight video will be this weekend at the 11th Annual National Snapping Spring Event in Las Vegas on May 4-5.  This is an incredible opportunity and will only be available to the first 30 Long Snappers, kickers or punters that reserve their video.  They are offering a discounted promotional rate of $100 for Vegas this year.  Here is how it will work:

1. You can preegister for this service by emailing info@varsitytape.com.  In the subject line type: “Vegas Video”.  The staff will get back to you with further instructions.

2. You can register for this service in Las Vegas.  However, if 30 others preegister, the service will no longer be available.  If you choose to take this route, you are taking a big risk.

A sample video (see below) was taken this past weekend at the 11th Annual National Snapping Preparation camp in Los Angeles.  This is a rough cut, so you can imagine how great the finished products will look.  If you choose to purchase a highlight video, the video will be yours to use as you see fit.  My recommendation: Email the video to coaches, add the video to your Rubio Long Snapping Player Ranking Profile, add the Video to your NCSA Player Profile and add it to your YouTube page.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRDp2xszIt4?rel=0&w=430&h=242]

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You Never Know Who is Watching

This morning, I was sent a link by a Rubio Long Snapping parent with the title “Did you see this?”

Usually, when I get an email like that, I am bit nervous, to say the least, since something bad is coming on the other end of the link.

This was not the case on this particular email.

I clicked on the link and my heart begin to fill as I read about Rubio Long Snapper Ryan Eustace of Arkansas St.

The link sent me to an article from a fan that came across Eustace and described how he treated the author’s child (whom Eustace, I assume, just thought was a random kid).

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This article shows that you never know who is watching. Full embrace to Eustace. Well done!

 UPDATE: Eustace was put on scholarship on August 15, 2014 and I couldn’t be more proud of this great young man!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFV2_tHMIf0?rel=0&w=420&h=236]

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Rubio Long Snapper Connor Johnson Commits to Oregon

Rubio Long Snapper Connor Johnson commits to the Oregon Ducks as a preferred walk-on!

Connor is a large Long Snapper with excellent grades and quick hands that will head into fall camp as a backup to former #1 Rubio Long Snapper Drew Howell from the class of 2010, Drew Howell.

Congratulations to Connor Johnson!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pKN_LKQ5M0?rel=0&w=415&h=233]

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11th Annual Spring Event in Las Vegas – KEY POINTS

The 11th Annual National Snapping Spring Event – Sponsored by Nike is less than a week away.  While many specialists are taking this time of year off, those that seriously want to play in college and know what it takes are working harder than ever.  Those hard workers will be in Las Vegas May 4-5, 2013 ready to impress and gain the most valuable national exposure in the nation.

Here is some useful information for those attending and those that are still considering attending.

  • Event Date: May 4-5, 2013
  • Arrive Friday May 3rd.  The earlier that you arrive, the more well rested you will be for the weekend.
  • Plan on being at camp until 5PM Sunday May 5th.  There is no way of knowing if you will make the Finals Round Sunday until you and all other participants have completed the initial round of charting Sunday morning.  Whether you make the Finals Round or not, you should plan on staying on watching the Finals Round.  Get the full experience from the camp!
  • Friday Small Group Sessions (4:00 – 5:00 & 5:00 – 6:00) are OPTIONAL.  These were designed to knock some rust off, get rid of jet lag legs, and gain confidence heading into Saturday.  If you can make it, I highly recommend you attend. CLICK HERE
  • Location: Las Vegas Outdoor Soccer 1400 N. Rampart Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89128
  • There is no bleacher seating.  Bring chairs or buy some cheap chairs if you would like to sit while you watch.
  • Why May? May is also known as “Evaluation Period” for college coaches.  This is a very HOT time for recruiting for all classes.  May offers maximum exposure.  Chris Sailer and myself will be handing 100′s of calls after this event.  Recruiting Boards will be set based on results and our evaluations.  Want to be offered a scholarship at those college camps this summer?  Attending this camp is how they will know about you!
  • The 11th Annual National Snapping Spring Event gives you a chance to make the “Event Elite”.  There is NO set number of specialists that will be selected.  The number selected is based on the number of participants that can compete at that VERY HIGHEST LEVEL.  Usually 15-20 are selected to join the “TOP 12″ at the most prestigious Invite Only Camp in the world.
  • Think you are good enough to make the “Event Elite” – Click HERE to see who you are competing with and to get a little history about the “TOP 12″ & “Event Elite”
  • The Spring Event in NOT an Invite Only Camp.  This camp offers a great experience to Long Snappers of all levels.  Expect a wide range of talent from beginners to the best of the best from around the world in the Classes of 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, Junior Colleges and 4-Year Transfer Students.  The best of the best, The “Event Elite”, selected from the Spring Event will be invited to attend the “TOP 12″ and “Event Elite” Camp in June.
  • Come prepared to enjoy your experience.  Do NOT put to much pressure on yourself.  Come with open eyes and ears.  Learn from your instructors and your peers.  Look around and take it all in.  Watch other groups.  Watch the college and pro demo.  Attend the Meetings.  There are so many things to learn and that you can and will benefit from if you take advantage.  Leave the camp with goals and a motivation to work harder than ever!
  • Saturday – Instructional Day.  You will get plenty of reps.  Pace yourself. Your group numbers have been emailed to you to you on Thursday. If you have not received it, please email me immediately.
  • Sunday – Competition Day.  You will be charted.  Your competition start time will be assigned to you at Check-In Saturday.
  • Saturday Meetings are the the Group Rate Hotel – JW Marriott.  I highly advise that participants and their parents attend. Meetings are from 6:30 – 7:30.  Get there early and enjoy.

What makes Rubio Long Snapping and Chris Sailer Kicking the best in the business? 

  1. First National Camp Ever for Specialists.
  2. First Kicking and Snapping Company to ever to rank Kickers, Punters, and Long Snappers on a true national scale.
  3. Chris Rubio and Chris Sailer  are physically at EVERY camp associated with Rubio Long Snapping and Chris Sailer Kicking.
  4. Chris Rubio is the ONLY one that handles the evaluations and rankings for the Long Snappers.  Same holds true for Chris Sailer with the Kickers and Punters.

Talk to any college coach in America or any Long Snapper that has been to multiple camps and will see that Rubio Long Snapping is the place to be for the best possible instruction and exposure.  Our advertising is word of mouth.  Come see for yourself!  See you in May!

Rubio

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Hartson, Tinker & Zupancic Sign Free Agent Contracts…

Rubio Long Snapping had 3 top alumni sign NFL Free Agent Contracts yesterday. We are very proud of the following 3 guys:

Brandon Hartson – Chicago Bears:

Hartson a University of Houston Product has the ideal frame at 6’2 and 250 pounds and talent to have along career in the NFL. Check out this previous post on Hartson, Click Here!

Carson Tinker – Jacksonville Jaguars

Tinker out of Alabama possesses all the tools to be doinate force in the NFL for a long time a great pick-up for the Jags!

Click Here for more about Tinker!

Mike Zupancic – New England Patriots

Zupancic is a 2-time Special Teams MVP out of Eastern Michigan. Zupancic has great velocity on his snaps and a perfect frame for the NFL. Check out this post for more about Zupancic’s MVP awards.

Brandon Hartson

Brandon Hartson

Carson TInker

Carson TInker

Zupancic

Mike Zupancic

 

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Rubio Long Snapper Mike Zupancic Earns Honor!

Rubio Long Snapper Mike Zupancic of Eastern Michigan has won the Special Team Awards MVP for his team!

That, in itself is impressive enough, being, and I hate to say it yet again, a Long Snapper, but what is really amazing is that this the SECOND time he has won the award for Eastern Michigan!

Look for Zupancic to be picked up as a free agent right after the draft. He has a terrific frame and snaps rockets. Zupancic snapped, on scholarship, all four years at Eastern Michigan.

Congratulations to Zupancic and don’t forget to embrace the plate of cookies he took as well. Well done!

Zupancic

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Pre-Camp Diet, What to Eat?

Preparing for Long Snapping Camps is crucial in getting the most out of your experience. The right food intake can help you beat camp fatigue and get the most out of your time and financial investment.

What are the best foods to eat leading up to camp? A diet strong in carbohydrates will help your stamina and performance. Too many players focus on diets high in meats and they ingest too much fat. Fats can soak up your energy and can lead to indigestion and even cramps.

A solid diet to consider would consist of about 60% carbs, 15% protein and about 25% fats. You should begin to increase your intake of fluids. Drink 16 ounces of water when you awake and drink before, during, and after exercising. In practice you will probably need at least a liter of fluid per practice hour.

It is all about making good choices. Choose toast rather than a donut. Instead of a burger select grilled fish. Instead of greasy French fries have a baked potato. Almonds and other nuts can provide much more energy than chips. Look at food as fuel, not just as something that gives you pleasure.

Your diet is just one way to prepare for your upcoming Camp. You will also need to prepare physically and mentally. The proper fuel can help you do that.

Rubio Long Snapping

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Rubio Long Snapper Jeff Goyette Earns Honor at Bucknell!

Rubio Long Snapper Jeff Goyette of Bucknell was selected to be a Team Captain for the 2013 season!

Anyone being a team captain is great but, and I hate to say it, being a Long Snapper and being honored in that capacity is fantastic!

Goyette is a also a two time Special Teams MVP & Academic Honor Roll. Someone might say he is doing a phenomenal job in college….that someone is me!

Congratulations to Jeff Goyette!

Jeff Goyette

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Happy Ranksgiving to the Class of 2015 Long Snappers from the NC & GA Camps

The rankings are completed for the class of 2015 Long Snappers that participated in the Rubio Long Snapping Spring Nike Camp in NC & GA.

These rankings really moved around after these two camps. The 11th Annual National Spring Event on May 4-5 is going to be even more important.

KEY POINTS:

  • My rankings are NOT done just from the Target
  • My rankings are NOT done from some mathematical formula.
  • My rankings ARE done by me and only me. That is why I am at all my camps.
  • My rankings are based off of this blog I wrote about what makes a Long Snapper great.
  • If you would like anything added to your profile page, simply email me (Rubio@RubioLongSnapping.com) the information and consider it done.
  • All Long Snappers are ranked after their first fall camp of their freshman year in high school.

A Long Snapper has the ability to adjust their ranking anytime I see them LIVE, not on video.

For the rankings for the class of 2015, please go HERE
Ranksgiving

 

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Rubio Long Snapper Reid Ferguson of LSU Earns Honor!

Long time Rubio Long Snapper, and TOP 12er, Reid Ferguson of LSU has won the Jerry Stovall Special Team Award….for the second year in a row!

This award is given out after Spring Ball by Head Coach Les Miles and the LSU staff. The award was presented to Reid for his Outstanding Performance in Spring Drills.

Winning once as a Long Snapper is impressive enough, but winning twice is just phenomenal.

Congratulations to Reid Ferguson!

RFerg Award


 

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Rubio Long Snapper Scotty Thompson Receives Honor at NC State!

Long time Rubio Long Snapper Scott Thompson has been chosen to be put on NC State’s on Leadership Council!

This is obviously a huge honor for Scott and I am beyond proud of him. To paraphrase…

“The Leadership Council is a position of respect,” said first-year head coach Dave Doeren.  “It empowers these guys.  This position is not a recognition of athletic ability, but leadership ability. I will go to this group with decisions that I want player input on and if a player wants something brought to a coach they will go to the council and the council will bring it to us.  It gives them a voice.”

Scott has been with Rubio Long Snapping since his 8th grade year out in Southern California. He ended up a TOP 12er,  #2 in his graduating class, received a full scholarship to NC State and will be the starter for the third year in a row!

Congratulations once again to Scotty Thompson!

NC State's Long Snapper Scott Thompson and Rubio Long Snapping

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Rubio Long Snapper Jay Angelici-Walsh Commits to Hiram College

Rubio Long Snapper Jay Angelici-Walsh (CA, ’13) has committed to Hiram College in Ohio on scholarship!

Jay is a good athlete  and a great person that has really come along nicely with his Long Snapping. He uses his strong body to create good speed and makes sure the his whole frame is involved in the snapping process.

Congratulations once again to Jay Angelici-Walsh!

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Rubio Long Snapper Kelly Mason to be put on Scholarship!

Long time Rubio Long Snapper Kelly Mason of the Kentucky Wildcats has been told he will put on scholarship!

This is a great moment for Kelly and his family. Kelly was one of those Long Snappers that took awhile to find his groove, but when he did, he was DOMINANT. He really hit stride when he won the 9th Annual National Spring Snapping Event in Las Vegas. He was phenomenal from his first snap that weekend until his last.

What’s even more impressive than his snapping is the Kelly has maintained a 4.0 throughout his career at Kentucky!!!

Congratulations once again to Kelly Mason!

 

 

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Rubio Long Snapper Matt Boggs (LA, ’13) Commits to TCU!

Rubio Long Snapper and TOP 12er Matt Boggs (LA, ’13) has committed to TCU as a preferred walk-on! This was his dream school for as long as he can remember so this was an easy decision for him.

Boggs is a tremendous Long Snapper and person. He is extremely smooth with his overall form and motion. He is definitely one of those Long Snapper that makes it look effortless. High academics and an all around student make him a great pick for TCU.

Boggs told me “Words cannot express how much I appreciate everything you have done for me.  I would never have gotten this far without your help!” Love to hear things like that from my Long Snappers.

Congratulations once again to Matt Boggs!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwA802XDvr4?rel=0&w=420&h=236]

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Happy Ranksgiving to the Class of 2014 Long Snappers from the NC & GA camps

The rankings are completed for the class of 2014 Long Snappers that participated in the Rubio Long Snapping Spring Nike Camp in NC & GA.

Be ready to see a new 5 Star Rubio Long Snapper…

KEY POINTS:

  • My rankings are NOT done just from the Target
  • My rankings are NOT done from some mathematical formula.
  • My rankings ARE done by me and only me. That is why I am at all my camps.
  • My rankings are based off of this blog I wrote about what makes a Long Snapper great.
  • If you would like anything added to your profile page, simply email me (Rubio@RubioLongSnapping.com) the information and consider it done.
  • All Long Snappers are ranked after their first fall camp of their freshman year in high school.

A Long Snapper has the ability to adjust their ranking anytime I see them LIVE, not on video.

For the rankings for the class of 2014, please go HERE
Ranksgiving

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Rubio Long Snapping and Eating Contests, Huh?

Rubio Long Snapping alum Christian Yount has had an interesting career. He was the top rated high school Long Snapper in the country. He played for UCLA .He was signed by the Tampa Bay Bucs after being undrafted in 2011. There are stories he even has challenged eating phenomenon Takeru Kobayashi to a food eating contest.

His current endeavor is being the Long Snapper for the Cleveland Browns. He was signed by Cleveland in late November of 2011. Yount solidified himself as a Dawg Pound favorite in Cleveland after executing a nice forearm block on Ray Lewis of the team’s hated rival Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 season.

The 2012 season resulted in 2 assists on tackles and two solo tackles. He seems to have found a home in Buckeye Country. This warm weather guy seems to be performing well in frigid Ohio.

The 2013 season looks promising for the young Browns and Yount as they mature in a very tough NFL division. We’ll keep you posted on this Rubio Long Snapping grad as he continues to progress.

We’ll also let you know if Kobayashi ever responds to his eating challenge!

Rubio Long Snapping

Christian Yount – Browns

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Rubio Long Snapper Kyle Renning (AZ, ’13) Commits to Northern Arizona!

Long time Rubio Long Snapper Kyle Renning has committed as a preferred walk-on to Northern Arizona!

This is a great moment for Kyle and his family as he will join his brother, Hayden (a Rubio Long Snapper who was Big Sky Conference All-Academic Team), at Northern Arizona. Also, both parents are alums of the school! To say they have  a history with the school might be just a tad of an understatement.

Kyle has come a long way with his snapping. He has transformed his body, his confidence and his form to truly be ready for the next level.

I am very proud of him. Congratulations to Kyle Renning!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4fNdWvlwng?rel=0&w=420&h=236]

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