RECAP: 11th Annual National Snapping Spring Event in Las Vegas

On May 4-5, 2013 well over 100 Long Snappers from around the globe came out to Las Vegas to participate in the 11th Annual National Snapping Spring Event in Las Vegas sponsored by Nike. The talent was excellent and so were the conditions. The staff was overflowing with one staff member per three Long Snappers so everyone was able to get the full experience throughout the weekend. Day one of the Event was all about instruction and many Long Snappers stood out immediately to make a name for themselves.

After it was all said and done, the winner of the camp was CJ Keller (2014, AZ). CJ handles pressure as well as anyone in the country, was snapping bullets all day and is very, very accurate and consistent. Kid is a machine and outlasted the rest of the competitors to take home the title!

CJ Keller

Winner of the 11th Annual National Snapping Spring Event: CJ KELLER!

The 12 finalists that earned their spot through their RSI score on the Target were: Nate Adams (AZ), Wyatt “Tucker” Smith (MS), RC Brunstetter (NC), Jordan Frese (TX), Tanner Carew (CA), Justin Garza (CA), Jake Knight (MI), CJ Keller (AZ), Bryan Scanlan (IL), Blake Ferguson (GA), Jordan Ober (NV) and Chris Nieto (CA).

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The Finalists from the Spring Event

Here are some of the top performers, by graduating class, from the weekend…

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Andrew MacLean was dominant all weekend in Vegas!

  • Andrew MacLean was outstanding all weekend. He is built extremely well and snapping with a ton of confidence. This big Canadian has made quite a name for himself.
  • Jason Diffee was out in Vegas to get fine-tuned before heading off to Eastern Washington on scholarship. He did not disappoint.
  • Cody Block was smooth and is built well. Moves very smooth on his feet and is consistent with his snaps.

2014

Tanner Carew

Tanner Carew was dominant all weekend in Vegas.

  • Tanner Carew was off the charts all weekend and has taken the top spot in his class. Snaps absolute rockets, built like an athlete and has a tremendous attitude. Tell him what to do and just consider it done. TONS of upside on this already tremendous Long Snapper. 
  • Alan Lucy continues his dominance by snapping well and really doing a great job in transforming his body into a D1 athlete.
  • Wyatt “Tucker” Smith is easily the top JC Long Snapper in the country. Built like a college tight end and snaps fire back to the punter.
  • Nate Adams has an amazing frame, a smooth snap and is very consistent. Love the way he moves and has a nice, smooth snap back to the punter and holder.
  • Casey Wilson is easily the smoothest Long Snapper in the country and will be purely dominant once he locks down his blocking.
  • Patrick Freeze is big, strong and snapping with a lot of confidence.
  • Curtis Billen easily snaps in the .6s and has a solid frame.
  • Jordan Frese is the top Long Snapper in TX and showed it all weekend. Great improvement.
  • Chris Nieto is built extremely long and athletic with a ton of upside. Could end up dominating his class.
  • Adam Vaught is massive and is snapping with power. The angrier he is is, the better he snaps.
  • Garrett Frum is working like a mad men and continues to improve daily.
  • Justin Garza was on fire all weekend. Intense Long Snapper that showed a ton of potential.
  • Seth Combs was snapping rockets all weekend and looked great all around.
  • Mitchell Hardy is big and snapping with great confidence. Tremendous attitude.
  • Nate Hawkins is very smooth and accurate with his Long Snapping. The more aggressive he gets, the better he will be.
  • Joel Baldwin has a nice long frame and a very smooth snap.
  • JC Everett is extremely coachable and strong. Always improving.
  • Christian Samarzich has a good body and is locking down his spiral. Solid all around Long Snapper.
  • Tommy Sullivan just continues to impress me with how he is turning his body and snapping around for greatness.
  • John Morrison is not the biggest man in the world but was snapping like he was. Smart Long Snapper that snaps hard.
  • Joe Lang has a great frame and always improves. Excellent attitude. Bright future.

2015

Blake Ferguson

Blake Ferguson was dominant all weekend in Vegas!

  • Blake Ferguson left no doubt he was the best Long Snapper in his class. When he is on, he is easily a college level Long Snapper NOW!
  • AJ Carty is built like a college Long Snapper and he is only a sophomore. Sky is the limit for him.
  • George Madden snaps rockets and as soon as he locks down the spiral, he will dominate
  • Tyler Douglas is built extremely well and is snapping hard. Keep an eye on him.
  • Ben Makowski is snapping with a lot of confidence and built thick.
  • Ryan Simmons is just a machine that keeps getting better. Smart.
  • Jake Knight is long, lean and has tons of upside.
  • Tyler Griffiths did well with his strong body and quick hands. Lots and lots of potential.
  • Harrison Goebel was impressive to say the least. Built very well. Lots of upside.
  • Jordan Ober was impressive out in Vegas. Built long and has great consistency.
  • Grant Gluhaich might have been the most improved Long Snapper over the weekend. If he keeps growing, he will crush all.
  • Darren Diffee handles pressure well and is very accurate.
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  • John Shannon was phenomenal all weekend in Vegas. At times, can snap in the .6s already! Great frame. Needless to say, keep a very close eye on him. 
  • Johnny Den Bleyker did very well out in Vegas. Moves well on his feet and is very athletic. Great attitude.
  • Damon Johnson looked good with his form and was snapping the ball well. The more comfortable he gets with his ability, the better he will be.
  • Donald Reiter was impressive out in Vegas. He snaps a tight ball and shows waves of brilliance with his speed on the ball.
  • Conner Kirkegaard continues to be a solid Long Snapper with great speed. The more consistent he gets, the better he will be.
  • Grant Crum stood out with his continued performance all weekend. Could be the sleeper of his class.

Rubio Long Snapping will kick off it’s summer tour with camps in TX on June 9, the TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp on June 21-23, the Underclassmen Invite Event on June 29-30, CA on July 11, NC on July 15, GA on July 17, the College Camp on July 19-21, MA on July 25, IL on July 27 and CA on July 29.

Rubio will also be running college specialists camps for  LSU, Texas A&M, Alabama, UCLA, Oregon and Washington as well. All information can be found on RubioLongSnapping.com

Thank you

 

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Meet the 2013 Members of the TOP 12!

After every National Snapping Event in Las Vegas in January, I choose the TOP 12 underclassmen Long Snappers. They are the best of the best out in Vegas and are selected to participate in the Invite Only TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE (these Long Snappers will be chosen after the Spring Event in Vegas) during the summer. Only the true great ones are allowed to attend the TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp and you must do extremely well in Vegas to be considered. The percent of Long Snappers that have been invited to this camp and continued their careers into college is well over 95%!

If you make this list, you obviously can snap the ball and do it well. Now, I wanted to give you a bit of insight on them off the field. In alphabetical order….

Top12er_11Name: Nate Adams
School: Greenway High School, AZ
Grad Year: 2014
Ht:“6 2′
Wt: 214
GPA: 3.83
SAT/ACT: Have not taken yet

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Stanford
2. Arizona
3. Oregon
4. Florida
5. Arizona St.

Hobbies:
1. Hanging out with friends
2. Weight lifting
3. Playing any sport

What is your favorite movie?
Gladiator

What is your favorite food?
Steak

What is favorite motivational quote?
“If you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful”

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
I train harder than anyone in the country; I am consistent with my snaps and I am an athlete that will make plays down field.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
I am extremely good at Call of Duty, and can play the piano.

 

Curtis BillenName:  Curtis Billen
School: Mariner High School, WA
Grad Year: 2014
Ht:”  6’ 2”
Wt: 225
GPA: 3.6
SAT/ACT:
Took ACT on February 9, 2013
Taking SAT March, 2013

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Washington
2. Boise St.
3. Washington St.
4. Oregon
5. Eastern Washington

Hobbies:
1. Weight Lifting
2. Video Games
3. Refereeing youth football games

What is your favorite movie?
The Water Boy

What is your favorite food?
Chicken Alfredo

What is favorite motivational quote?
Trust, but verify
Vladimir Lenin adopted and made famous by U.S. president Ronald Reagan

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
The thing that makes me the best long snapper in the country is my work ethic. I workout every day, which includes weight lifting and aerobic exercises.  After that, I go through my long snapping routine each and every day.  Also, my grades are important to me, so I make sure I complete all of my class work to the best of my abilities and also I complete all of my homework everyday. 

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
I was a three time state champion in Freestyle, Greco, and Collegiate wrestling before 8th grade.


Name
: Bronson Bruneau Bronson Bruneau
School: Lakeville North High School, MN
Grad Year: 2014
Ht: 6’5”
Wt: 205
GPA: 4.28
SAT/ACT: 27

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Stanford
2. Clemson
3. Virginia
4. Notre Dame
5. Vanderbilt

Hobbies (name only three please):
1. Basketball
2. Hanging out with friends
3. Playing the piano

What is your favorite movie?
Rocky 3

What is your favorite food?
Strawberry Jello

What is favorite motivational quote?
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
I have a strong work ethic and strive to be the best that I can be. I am coachable and work to achieve my goals.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
I have spent over 400 hours in the last two years volunteering at two different hospitals and working for health related causes.

 

Reid BuckinghamName: Reid Buckingham
School: Lawrence Free State High School, KS
Grad Year: 2014
Ht: 6’2
Wt: 240
GPA: 3.88
SAT/ACT: 24

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Colorado St.
2. TCU
3. Wisconsin
4. Baylor
5. Oklahoma St.

Hobbies:
1. Weight lifting
2. Fishing/Outdoor Sports
3. Traveling to famous hamburger joints across the Midwest

What is your favorite movie?
The Prestige

What is your favorite food?
Yes

What is favorite motivational quote?
“If you’re gonna be a bear, be a grizzly.” – Mike Jackson

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
“I am dedicated to my craft and am able to accept constructive criticism to constantly improve. I am never satisfied or have felt that I am good enough and embrace the struggle and the ups and downs that come with being the best Long Snapper in the country.”

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
When I was in 5th grade I placed 2nd in the Kansas Youth Oratorical Contest (public speaking).

 

Tanner CarewNameTanner Carew
School: Damien High School, CA
Grad Year: 2014
Ht:  6′ 2″
Wt: 210
GPA: 3.1
SAT/ACT: Not yet taken

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Oregon
2. Arizona
3. Florida
4. Utah St.
5. Nevada

Hobbies:
1. Wakeboarding
2. Training
3. Off-Roading

What is your favorite movie?
Rain Man

What is your favorite food?
Prime Rib

What is favorite motivational quote?
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.” Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
My attitude, work ethic and confidence.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
I can solve and Rubik’s Cube in under one minute while riding a wakeboard.

 

CJ KellerName: CJ Keller
School: Brophy College Preparatory, AZ
Grad Year: 2014
Ht: 6′ 2″
Wt: 185
GPA: 3.94
SAT/ACT: N/A, scheduled to take it in April.

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Stanford
2. Vanderbilt
3. Northwestern
4. Maryland
5. Cal Berkeley

Hobbies:
1. Hiking
2. Swimming
3. Doing Charitable Service Project, especially if it involves travel

What is your favorite movie?
Zero Dark Thirty

What is your favorite food?
Chinese food

What is favorite motivational quote?
Most people see what is, and never what can be.”    Albert Einstein

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
Defined goals, dedication to hard work,  consistency, great coaching and supportive parents all contribute to me becoming  the best high school Long Snapper in the country.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
I travelled to Kenya last summer to build a school for an impoverished village.

 

Alan LucyName: Alan Lucy
School: Dinwiddie High School, VA.
Grad Year: 2014
Ht: 6′
Wt: 225
GPA: 3.5
SAT/ACT: SAT 1510 / ACT Not yet taken

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Oregon
2. Florida
3. South Carolina
4. Texas A&M
5. Maryland

Hobbies:
1. Traveling
2. Drag Racing
3. Fishing

What is your favorite movie? 
Talladega Nights

What is your favorite food? 
Crab Legs

What is favorite motivational quote?
“If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven’t done anything today.” (Lou Holtz)

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
My drive to always improve my snapping and reach the next goal I have challenged myself with.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
I am very adventurous. I love flying and traveling and seeing new places.

 

Liam McCulloughName: Liam McCullough
School: Worthington Kilbourne High School, OH
Grad Year: 2015
Ht:” 6’3”
Wt: 215
GPA: 4.0
SAT/ACT: 30
Top 5 College Choices:
1. The Ohio St.
2. Stanford
3. Wisconsin
4. Florida
5. Michigan St.

Hobbies:
1. Cooking
2. Traveling
3. Training (lifting, plyometrics, Long Snapping)

What is your favorite movie?
Borat

What is your favorite food?
Anything that at one point had a central nervous system

What is favorite motivational quote?
“…From he who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from he who has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”(Luke 12:48)

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
I train harder than anyone else I compete with – in lifting, plyometrics, and long snapping. I strive every day to make myself the best athlete, snapper, and person I can be. I am very humble and face every aspect of my life with a positive yet determined attitude.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
I can pick up an instrument and learn to play it by ear with minimal assistance. I have done this with around a dozen instruments.

 

Wyatt PfeiferName: Wyatt Pfeifer
School: Buckeye Valley High School, OH
Grad Year: 2014
Ht: 6’3″
Wt: 245lbs
GPA: 3.4
SAT/ACT: N/A

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Duke
2. Cincinnati
3. Ohio St.
4. Illinois
5. Bowling Green

Hobbies:
1. Riding Dirt Bikes
2. Water Sports
3. Working out

What is your favorite movie?
Dumb and Dumber

What is your favorite food?
Sushi

What is favorite motivational quote?
“Train like your second, play like your first”

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
My ability to perform under pressure and my consistency snapping the ball. The amount of effort I put into being the best Long Snapper comes with my desire to acheive success, that is what makes me the best Long Snapper in the country.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
I always have a smile on my face
Zach WadeName: Zach Wade
School: Bremen High School, GA
Grad Year: 2014
Ht:” 6’1”
Wt: 210
GPA: 3.5
SAT/ACT: Taking SAT in march

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Auburn
2. Georgia
3. Clemson
4. Tennessee
5. Florida

Hobbies:
1. Lifting weights
2.Working on our farm
3. Long Snapping

What is your favorite movie?
300

What is your favorite food?
Chicken Alfredo

What is favorite motivational quote?
“Tough people embrace tough times”

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
I feel that my form is perfect, that I am consistent, I’m athletic, I snap a tight spiral and I have good ball speed.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
One unique quality about me, is that I am very straight forward.

 

Casey WilsonName: Casey Wilson
School: St. Pius X Catholic High School, GA
Grad Year:2014
Ht: 6’2
Wt: 200
GPA: 3.4
SAT/ACT: Taking on March 9th at St. Pius X Catholic High School

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Georgia Tech
2. Auburn
3. University of Georgia
4. Florida St.
5. Louisville

Hobbies:
1. Bass Fishing
2. 4 Wheeling/Mudding
3. Weight Lifting

What is your favorite movie?
Step Brothers

What is your favorite food?
Rice and gravy

What is favorite motivational quote?
“The difference between where you are now and where you want to be is your commitment to getting there.” -Rubio

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country?
Athleticism and dedication to achieve my set goals.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about?
I am naturally a lefty, but do most two handed things with my right hand, and most one handed things with my left hand.

 

Davis WinkieName: Jonathan Davis Winkie
School: South Forsyth High School
Grad Year: 2014
Height: 6’6″
Wt: 250
GPA: 4.07
SAT: 2120

Top 5 Schools:
1. Vanderbilt
2. Georgia
3. Harvard
4. Northwestern
5. Texas A&M

Hobbies:
1. Coaching youth baseball
2. Weight lifting
3. Golf

Favorite movie:
The Shawshank Redemption

Favorite food:
My momma’s poppyseed chicken.

Favorite quote:
There are no good plays or bad plays, only the next play.

Why am I the best?
I’m the best Long Snapper in the country because nobody else has my combination of dependability, size, strength, and smarts.

Unique quality?
I am a human playbook- in addition to knowing all of my plays for my primary position of center, I also know every assignment for guard, tackle, and tight end as well. I’m that guy on the O-line.

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Chris-Rubio-2Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. 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 12 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 300 Long Snappers earning FULL SCHOLARSHIPS to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.

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2nd TOP 12er is CJ Keller!

The 2nd member of the exclusive TOP 12 is CJ Keller (AZ, ’14)!

CJ was brilliant all weekend in Las Vegas and might be the smoothest overall Long Snapper in the country. His PAT’s are on point and he is very consistent.

Congratulations once again to CJ on being selected to the exclusive TOP 12!

CJ Keller

 

 

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Chris-Rubio-2Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. 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 12 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 300 Long Snappers earning FULL SCHOLARSHIPS to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.

Rubio_Card_frontMAGNET

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