So, You Didn’t Make the TOP 12, Now What?

For the past couple weeks, you have been watching the TOP 12 Camp Invited Long Snappers get chosen one by one. Daily, you stared at your Twitter feed, Instagram or Facebook waiting for the inevitable clues to be dropped. Each day, a couple people were ecstatic while countless others felt the opposite emotions. A couple days ago, the final members of the TOP 12 Camp Invitees were announced and a balloon was popped for many  Long Snappers. Now what?

Couple ways to look at it….

You can be upset with me for not selecting you. You can be upset with yourself for not performing when it counted. You can even find a way to blame others, but, it is ultimately on you. The only thing you can control is how hard and smart you work. Everyone in Vegas is competing for the same spots. Don’t let anybody outwork you and you will see different results.

You need to use this as motivation to make sure you perform better. This is all up to you. The choice is yours.

If you are a Long Snapper that strives to be the best, you want to be at that TOP 12  camp during the summer. Any single athlete that has been there (scholarship Long Snappers, All-Americans, NFL players) will tell you it is, by far, the best camp they have ever been to in their life. What you need to do is get back on the horse. Work smarter and harder.

Many great Long Snappers did NOT make it simply because in Vegas they didn’t feel they could. They did NOT have confidence. They were HOPING they would snap well instead of KNOWING they would snap well. Sound familiar?

Just because you didn’t make the TOP 12 does NOT mean you are a bad Long Snapper at all and that you should just stop. It means that you need to work harder and smarter at VEGAS XXXIV to be selected to the next batch of TOP 12 Campers to be invited. Remember, I will be choosing twenty more there and then those forth will be narrow down at the camp to see who really is THE TOP 12 LONG SNAPPERS.

You need to knock my socks off. THE RANKINGS CAN BE ADJUSTED ANYTIME I SEE YOU LIVE. You need to show everyone this spring as I pass through the country that you are the best. Dominate. Know you can do it AND do it!

The best of the best ALWAYS step up.

Are you one of them? Time to decide. Prove to me, and the rest of the world, that you belong.

Or don’t.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS…..

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Rubio 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 13 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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BIG Changes to the TOP 12 Camp!

Rubio top 12 CampAs you all know, at every January Vegas Event, Chris Sailer and I choose the TOP 12 Long Snappers, Kickers and Punters. Then, at our May Vegas Event, Sailer and I choose the “Event Elite” which is made up of the top Long Snappers, Kickers and Punters over the weekend. Together, they combine and form the exclusive TOP 12 & EVENT ELITE camp during the summer. This is the cream of the crop talent wise and over 90% of these athletes end up in college with many headed off to the NFL.

This year, things will be different….MUCH different.

In order to create the maximum amount of targeted exposure for our athletes we have decided to make a few changes. These new changes will allow us to showcase which Long Snappers, kickers, and punters are truly ready to compete at the next level.

At each of our Vegas Events, Vegas XXIX and Vegas 30, Sailer and I will select 20 athletes that dominated each camp and we feel could potentially be ready for the next level.

We will also have a maximum of FIVE Wild Card invites each that we can give throughout the year. Our choice. Any camp. All on us and what we have seen and/or read about throughout the year.

Curious as to what I am looking for in a Long Snapper, click HERE

Now, here is where things REALLY get interesting. During the summer, at The TOP 12 camp  (the term “Event Elite” is officially retired), not only will the athletes have to perform on the field, they will have to perform off the field as well. Each athlete will undergo a full interview process along with several meetings so that we can really grasp who they are and how they will handle the life of a college and/or pro athlete.

As soon as each Long Snapper, kicker, or punter receives their respective invitation to this prestigious camp, they will be mailed a black shirt with yellow writing. At the end of the camp, when we unveil the TOP 12, each one of those campers will receive the elusive yellow shirt AND a full special outfit designed by Adidas specifically for those campers.

Stay with me here, The TOP 12 will be chosen at the end of the camp. They will be selected at individual meetings in a war room at the end of camp while the other Long Snappers will be waiting and feeling the pressure, wondering “How many spots are left?”

They will be selected by their mental and physical ability over the three days of the camp.

Now, we will REALLY get to see who are The TOP 12 of Rubio Long Snapping and The TOP 12 of Chris Sailer Kicking!

VEGAS XXIX

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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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Rubio Long Snapper Chaska Moon Commits to Virginia Tech!

Moon, ChaskaLong time Rubio Long Snapper and EVENT ELITE member Chaska Moon (NC, ’15) has committed to Virginia Tech as a preferred walk-on! He looks to take over for Rubio Long Snapper Joe St. Germain as the starter  when he graduates.

Chaska is one of the smartest Long Snappers in the country, has great form and rips the ball back to the punter. A very dedicated Long Snapper that has been to over ten Rubio Long Snapping camps. Great attitude and always improving.

Congratulations to Chaska and his family!
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Rubio Long Snapper Drew McCracken Commits to UAB on Full Scholarship

drew-mccracken4079Long time Rubio Long Snapper Drew McCracken (GA, ’15) has committed to UAB on full scholarship! It was great receiving the text “I have just committed to UAB on full scholarship! Thank you for everything. I couldn’t have done it without you!”

McCracken, who is an EVENT ELITE member and has attended 10 Rubio Long Snapping camps over his high school career, will be taking over for Rubio Long Snapper Dallas Noriega!

McCracken is an extremely athletic Long Snapper that can snap in the .6s. He is quiet and has tremendous form. He will be a great fit for UAB.

Congratulations to him and his family (he has a little brother, Zane, class of 2020 who has been with Rubio Long Snapping for two years so watch out!).
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Rubio Long Snapper Matt Keller Picks Up Full Ride

Rubio Long Snapper and Event Elite member Matt Keller (15, PA) has picked up a full ride offer to Syracuse!

If Keller was to commit to Syracuse, he would be following in Rubio Long Snapper Sam Rodgers’ footsteps.

Here is the review from his profile page and video below the quote…Keller, Matt

He has good size with room to grow. Form is excellent and the harder he snaps the ball, the better he will be. VERY accurate and consistent with his snaps. Leaning back and snapping with more force will be big for him in the future. Stoic Long Snapper that handles pressure well. Upside. Coachable.

Congratulations to Keller and his family.

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The FINAL EVENT ELITE Announcement!

Here it is, the final announcement declaring who will be in the TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE Camp this summer in Los Angeles.

This decision was very difficult due to the amazing talent that was present in Las Vegas at the Rubio Long Snapping 12th Annual Snapping Spring Event.

I personally would have liked to continue to announce the members over time but, as you have been noticing on social media, I have been speeding it up since I know people need to get flights.

So, here we go…..you final Event Elite announcement is that……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following Long Snappers are invited to the EVENT ELITE in June! Congratulations go out to…

  • Steven Wirtel
  • Donald Reiter
  • Jake Knight
  • Geron Eatherly
  • Scott Meyer
  • Koby Walsh

Alternates: Caleb Hendrix, Chaska Moon, Carson Vey, Hunter Womac and Chase Urbach (if someone cannot make the camp, these Long Snappers will have the opportunity to attend)

Congratulations to these Long Snappers and trust me when I tell you, this was NOT an easy decision at all. There are several other Long Snappers that are right on the cusp of making it.

Rubio Long Snapping Business Card

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EVENT ELITE MEMBER #7

Congratulations to John Aloma (CA, ’16) on being selected to the 2014 Event Elite!

Here was your clue: EVENT ELITE member: he might have to go to social media court for this one to be adjusted and legal.

1st part:  EVENT ELITE member: he might have to go to social media court for this one to be adjusted and legal. (Aloma’s Twitter handle has been @Future_Top_12 for SEVERAL years  and now that he is part of it, he might have to adjust it since it is no longer the future but the now)

Congratulations to John Aloma on being invited to the 2014 TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp where only the best of the best Long Snappers in the country will be competing and learning!

Aloma, John

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EVENT ELITE MEMBER #5

Congratulations to John Shannon (IL, 16)on being selected to the 2014 Event Elite!

Here was your clue: EVENT ELITE member: people tend to need one a ton on road trips then the first of a sister with a famous code in the 90s

1st part:  people tend to need one a ton on road trips (travelers always need a restroom on the road…another word for restroom is JOHN)
2nd part: the first of a sister with a famous code in the 90s (most famous zip code in the 90’s was easily 90210 and the sister was SHANNON Doherety)

Congratulations to John Shannon on being invited to the 2014 TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp where only the best of the best Long Snappers in the country will be competing and learning!

Shannon, John

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Rubio Long Snapper Nate Hawkins Picks Up Offer to Air Force!

Rubio Long Snapper Nate Hawkins (OH, ’14) has been offered a scholarship to the Air Force Academy!

Nate has been on a major upswing since The Spring Event in Las Vegas in May where he was named an EVENT ELITE member. He has a great frame, incredible accuracy and just keeps improving.

Congratulations once again to Nate Hawkins!

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Get to Know the Event Elite Underclassmen Long Snappers…

After every National Snapping Spring Event in Las Vegas in May, I choose the Event Elite underclassmen Long Snappers. They are the best of the best out in Vegas and are selected to participate in The TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp 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….

Name: Joel Baldwin Baldwin_Event_Elite

School: Tupelo High School

Grad Year: 2014

Ht: 6’2”

Wt: 215

GPA: 3.7

SAT/ACT: 25

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Florida

2. Mississippi State

3. Ole Miss

4. Duke

5. Vanderbilt

Hobbies:

1. Spending time with my youth group at Church

2. Long Snapping

3. Playing Tennis

What is your favorite movie? Hot Rod

What is your favorite food? Roast Beef and Rice

What is favorite motivational quote?
“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.” – Muhammad Ali

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? My high goals and ability to achieve those goals make me the best Long Snapper in the country. I will do everything I can to be better than the person that is in front of me.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I am both a Varsity Football player and a Varsity Tennis player.

Name: Aidan “AJ” Carty Carty_Event_Elite

School: Servite High School

Grad Year: 2015

Ht: 6″3

Wt: 230

GPA: 3.8

SAT/ACT: n/a

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Notre Dame

2. Duke

3. Clemson

4. Michigan

5. Washington

Hobbies:

1. Snowboarding/Skiing

2. Wrestling

3. Building catapults

Favorite Movie: The Other Guys

Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers

Favorite Quote: “To infinity and beyond” – Buzz Lightyear

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? My determination and my attitude

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know? I dance when I drink milk

Name: Seth A. Combs Seth Combs

School: Hononegah High School

Grad Year: 2014

Height: 5’-11”

Weight: 190

GPA: 3.0

ACT: 22 (Retake Schedule June 2013)

SAT: N/A

Top 5 College Choices:

1.) University of Minnesota

2.) Illinois State University

3.) Wisconsin

4.) University of Kentucky

5.) Northern Illinois

Hobbies:

1.) Football

2.) Weight Lifting

3.) Hanging out with friends

Favorite Movie: Invincible

Favorite Food: Buffalo wings

Favorite Quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” – Tim Tebow

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? I have a growth mindset which allows me to see effort as the path to mastery. I embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, learn from criticism, and find lessons and inspiration in the success of others. I also have great work ethic, along with athleticism to be able to make plays down field.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know? I have a strong will. I have the will to win and the desired to succeed.

Name: JC Everett JC Everett

School: Siloam Springs High School

Grad Year: 2014

Ht: 5’10”

Wt: 247

GPA: 3.4

SAT/ACT: 26

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Arkansas

2. Ole Miss

3. Duke

4. SMU

5. Florida

Hobbies:

1. Weight Lifting

2. Working on our farm

3. Outdoor sports (hunting, fishing, etc.)

What is your favorite movie? Elf

What is your favorite food? Italian

What is favorite motivational quote? Motivation: It is not strength but desire that moves us.

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? My work ethic and willingness to learn. Tell me to fix anything with my snapping and consider it done.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I have coached two 6th grade football teams in the past two years.

Name: Blake Ferguson Blake Ferguson

School:

Buford High School

Grad Year: 2015

Ht: 6’3”

Wt: 230

GPA: 3.96

SAT/ACT: N/A

Top 5 College Choices:

1. LSU

2.Tennessee

3. Georgia

4. Oregon

5. Florida

Hobbies:

1. Video/Media Editing

2. Cooking

3. Weightlifting

What is your favorite movie? Braveheart

What is your favorite food? Seafood

What is favorite motivational quote? 
“”Success always looks easy to those who weren’t around when it was being earned.”

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? I believe that I am the best long snapper because I strive for excellence in everything that I do, which not only includes my long snapping abilities, but also my academic pursuits, character, and relationships with God and others.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I have Type 1 Diabetes. It has shown me that I have the inner drive to overcome any obstacle.

Name: Patrick Freeze pfreezerubio

School: Chesterton High School

Grad Year: 2014

Ht: 6’4″

Wt: 260

GPA: 2.35

SAT/ACT:

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Notre Dame

2. Western Michigan

3. USC

4. Alabama

5. Indiana State

Hobbies:

1. weightlifting

2. fishing

3. adventuring

What is your favorite movie? Remember the Titans

What is your favorite food? cinnamon rolls/donuts

What is favorite motivational quote? “Train insane or remain the same”

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? Size

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I love working with the special ed kids at my school

Name: Jordan FreseFrese

School: Keller High School

Grad Year:2014

Ht: 6″1

Wt: 200

GPA:

SAT/ACT: 1530(taking again soon)/ not taken yet

Top 5 College Choices:

1. USC

2. Houston

3. Ok St

4. San Diego St

5. A&M

Hobbies:

1. Snapping Balls

2. Getting Invited to Snapping Camps

3. Answering Questionnaire

Favorite Movie: Anchorman

Favorite Food: Beef

Favorite Quote: “If you ain’t first, you’re last”

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? I thrive under pressure.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know? I have a very keen sense of humor.

Name: Garrett Frum Frum_Event_Elite

School: Moorpark High School, CA

Grad Year: 2014

Ht:” 6’2

Wt: 230lbs

GPA:3.1

SAT/ACT: ACT:21 SAT: N/A

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Utah State

2. Cal Poly SLO

3. Fresno State

4. Oregon State

5. Washington

Hobbies:

1. Weight lifting

2. Hanging out with Friends

3. Referring youth football games

What is your favorite movie? The Pursuit of Happiness

What is your favorite Food? Steak

Favorite Quote: “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” -Norman Vincent Peale

Why I am the best Long Snapper in the country: What makes me the best long snapper in the country is my constant hunger to achieve greatness. I take pride in my work ethic on the field and in the classroom. In addition, I train (weight lifting and snapping) harder than any other snapper in the country.

Something people may not know about me: I made Marmonte League finals in shot put this year (2013). I dedicate two Saturday afternoons a month to the “Take 5” organization helping disabled children for the last two years.

Name: Justin Garza  Justin Garza

School: Carlsbad High School

Grad Year: 2014

Ht:” 5’11

Wt: 210lbs

GPA:3.67

SAT/ACT: 1560

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Ohio State

2. SDSU

3. Kansas State

4. ASU

5. Colorado

Hobbies:

1. Umpiring

2. Dirt Biking/Wake Boarding

3. Hiking

What is your favorite movie? Into the Wild

What is your favorite Food? Mexican/BBQ

Favorite Quote: 

1. Win The Day

2.If  you don’t fall your not trying hard enough

3. You can be a bad loser or you can be a good loser but your still a loser so don’t Lose

4. Live Life, Love Life, Live it Long

 

Why I am the best Long Snapper in the country: The qualities that make me the best long snapper in the world are my abilities to take directions and criticism and use them to my advantage. I’m the hardest working and dedicated player/student that you can find. I will never stop training and trying to improve in every aspect. I snap a very fast ball and my accuracy and consistency have improved greatly and is almost dialed in. I’m Extremely Athletic. That is what makes we the best long snapper in the country.

Something people may not know about me: I love photography and I’m also very good at it.

Name: Mitchell Jon Hardy Mitch Hardy Event Elite

School: Muskego High School, Muskego, WI

Grad Year: 2014

Ht: 6 ft 2 in

Wt: 245 lbs

GPA: 3.4

SAT/ACT: 20 (retaking June 8th, 2013 at Muskego High School)

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Wisconsin
2. Minnesota
3. Ball State
4. Illinois
5. Navy

Hobbies:
1. Watching Deadliest Catch
2. Hanging out with friends
3. Working on my 2000 Chevy Silverado

What is your favorite movie? Dodgeball, A True Underdog Story

What is your favorite food? Buffalo Chicken Wings

What is favorite motivational quote? Seven days without training makes a weak one

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? I feel that my drive and dedication to the craft is what makes me the best long snapper in the country. I am always working on my form and doing whatever I can to get bigger, stronger and faster.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I work at a Movie Theatre

Name: Nate Hawkins Hawkins_Event_Elite

School: St. Thomas Aquinas High School, OH

Grad Year: 2014

Ht: 6’1″

Wt: 225

GPA: 3.43

ACT: Taking in June 2013

Top 5 College Choices
1. Notre Dame
2. Rutgers
3. Florida State
4. UCLA
5. Colorado State

Hobbies
1. Skiing
2. Golf (Links and Disc)
3. Lifting

Favorite Movie: Rudy

Favorite Food: Anything with my Mom’s pasta sauce, especially Ravioli.

Favorite Quote: “Find a way to win” – Msgr. Lewis Gaetano

Why I am the best Long Snapper in the country: I am determined to do my best. I will find every possible way to get better, and I strive to make every single snap better than the last.

Something people may not know about me: I like to watch professional cycling.

Name: Joe Lang Lang_Event_Elite

School: Pullman High School

Grad Year: 2014

Ht:6’3″

Wt: 225 Lbs

GPA: 3.52

SAT/ACT: Signed up June 1st (SAT) and June 8th (ACT)

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Illinois

2. UW

3. WSU

4. Arizona

5. Montana St.

Hobbies:

1. Cooking

2. Golfing

3. Playing Cards

What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is The Intouchables. (French movie)

What is your favorite food? My favorite food is teriyaki chicken with white rice.

What is favorite motivational quote? “If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there you must go beyond them.” -Bruce Lee

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? My humility; it allows me to create standards for myself. Standards hold me and only me accountable for everything I do. My standards go above any goal I would ever set for myself. Being humble fuels my desire to always work towards the next level, and approach every task with relentless determination.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? Through hardships I have encountered in my life, I have become altruistic, due to the need to put my family’s well being before my own.

Name: John Morrison MORRISON_Event_Elite

School: Pace Academy (Atlanta, GA)

Grad Year: 2014

Ht: 5’11”

Wt: That’s not important (171)

GPA: 95

SAT/ACT: 2210/33

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Alabama

2. Cornell

3. Yale

4. Georgia

5. Harvard

Hobbies:

1. Any kind of exercise– hiking, lifting, etc.

2. Playing guitar

3. Seeing new places and doing new things

What is your favorite movie? Forrest Gump or Talladega Nights

What is your favorite food? Pizza, but it has to have good crust. The crust can make or break a pizza.

What is favorite motivational quote?

“It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” – from “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? I have a drive to practice harder and more effectively than any other snapper in the country. Every day I make sure I am improving each aspect of my game, from my technique, to my physical fitness, to my mental readiness. When I finish high school, I want to be the most dependable long snapper in the country, and I do everything within my power to make that goal a reality. I also have the advantage of speed and mobility that makes me ideal for punt coverage.

Name: Kyle Murphy Kyle Murphy

School: Ardrey Kell High School

Grad Year: 2014

Ht: 6′ 3”

Wt: 230

GPA: 3.4

SAT/ACT: 1550/23

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Ole Miss
2. Tennessee
3. Clemson
4. UNC
5. NC State

Hobbies (name only three please):
1. Working out
2. Fishing
3. Golf

What is your favorite movie? Sahara

What is your favorite food? Steak

What is favorite motivational quote? “Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right” -Henry Ford

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? Out working everybody else in the country , having goals and being driven towards them, and always being able to stay mentally in control.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I once hit a full court shot in a game and I also once threw a no hitter.

 

Name: Chris Nieto Nieto_Event_Elite

School: Segerstrom High School

Grad Year: 2014

Ht:” 6’4

Wt: 205

GPA: 3.2

SAT/ACT: N/A

Top 5 College Choices:
1. UCLA
2. Colorado
3. Notre Dame
4. San Diego State
5. USC

Hobbies (name only three please):
1. Basketball
2. Music
3. Video Games

What is your favorite movie? Remember the Titans

What is your favorite food? Steak

What is favorite motivational quote? What we do in life echos in Eternity.

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? I feel I am the best long snapper because I am calm and smooth with my approach. I also can get down field and make a play as well. I have been long snapping competitively since I was 9 years old in Pop Warner and now in High School. No situation rattles me. Snapping into the end zone or any situtation. I am always calm and collective.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? A unique quality I have is I am also a 3 year varsity starter for my High School basketball team.

 

Name: Christian Samarzich Christian Samarzich

School: Upland High School – Upland, California

Grad Year: 2014

Ht:” 6’2

Wt: 213

GPA: 3.2

SAT/ACT: June 1st taking for 1st time

Top 5 College Choices:
1. Nevada Reno
2. University of Southern California
3. Montana State
4. Colorado State
5. Portland State

Hobbies (name only three please):
1. Photography
2. Training and Working Out
3. Eating and sleeping

What is your favorite movie? tie–The Dark Knight and Step Brothers

What is your favorite food? Sushi and Pizza

What is favorite motivational quote? It ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. ROCKY

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? The 3 D’s — my Desire, Drive and Dedication

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I have a new car and don’t have a drivers license yet.

Name: Wyatt Tucker SmithTSmith

School: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Grad Year: December, 2013

Ht: 6’3″

Wt: 234lbs

GPA: 3.16

ACT: 21

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Baylor

2. Oregon

3. Georgia

4. Ole Miss

5. Washington

Hobbies (name only three please):

1. Water Sports

2. Basketball

3. Playing Guitar

What is your favorite movie? Good Will Hunting

What is your favorite food? Pasta of any kind.

What is favorite motivational quote? “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? My combination of size and athletic ability is as good as any in the country. The fact that i am never completely satisfied also fuels me. I strive every day to improve in football and life.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I plan to major in Education and Coaching in order to help kids get on the right track out of high school, and surround students with positive influences on and off of the football field.

Name: Tom Sullivan Tom Sullivan

School: Wheaton Warrenville South High School

Grad Year: 2014

Ht: 6’0″

Wt: 225lbs

GPA: 4.8

ACT: 30

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Boston College

2. Duke

3. Northwestern

4. Cal

5. Penn

Hobbies (name only three please):

1. Magic Tricks

2. Golf

3. Lifting Weights

What is your favorite movie? School of Rock

What is your favorite food? Wings

What is favorite motivational quote? “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t”- Jerry Rice

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? I am confident, and want to win more than anyone else. I accept nothing but perfection, and will do anything to get to it. I am not afraid of any one on one challenge to prove I am the best.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I’m a sucker for Disney musicals.

Name: Adam Vaughtvaught

School: Blacksburg High School, Blacksburg, VA

Grad Year: 2014

Ht:” 6’7

Wt: 240 lbs

GPA: 2.7

SAT/ACT: 1320

Top 5 College Choices:

1. Ole Miss

2. NC State

3. South Carolina

4. Elon

5. Tennessee Tech

Hobbies:

  1. Following college and professional football
  2. Basketball
  3. Water Sports

What is your favorite movie? Forrest Gump

What is your favorite food? Grandma’s Apple Pie

What is favorite motivational quote? “When writing your life story, don’t let somebody else hold the pen”-Anonymous

What makes you the best Long Snapper in the country? I believe I am the best long snapper in the country because I understand how important the role of long snapper is to a football team. I know that hard work and determination is the only way to succeed. I do not believe I am a perfect long snapper, because perfection means I can never get better. I am the best long snapper in the country because I am not perfect, but I will never stop trying to be.

What is one unique quality about you that not everyone might know about? I have a great sense of humor and love to laugh.

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Happy Ranksgiving to the Class of 2014 Long Snappers from the 11th Annual Spring Event

The rankings are completed for the class of 2014 Long Snappers that participated in the Rubio Long Snapping 11th Annual National Snapping Spring Event in Las Vegas!

TONS of movement in this class and get ready to see a new #1 Long Snapper! This summer is going to be massive for this class. I am not sure I have ever had a class capable of so much movement.

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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So, You Didn’t Make the Event Elite, Now What?

For the past 3 weeks, you have been watching the EVENT ELITE Long Snappers get chosen one by one. Nightly, you stared at your Twitter feed or Facebook at approximately 5 pm pst waiting for the inevitable clue to be dropped. Each day, one person was ecstatic while countless others felt the opposite emotions. Last night, the final EVENT ELITE member was chosen and a balloon was popped for many 2014, 2015 and even some 2016 Long Snappers. Now what?

Couple ways to look at it….

You can be upset with me for not selecting you. You can be upset with yourself for not performing when it counted. You can even find a way to blame others, but, it is ultimately on you. The only thing you can control is how hard and smart you work. Everyone in Vegas is competing for the same spots. Don’t let anybody outwork you and you will see different results.

You need to use this as motivation to make sure you perform better. This is all up to you. The choice is yours.

If you are a Long Snapper that strives to be the best, you want to be at that TOP 12 and Event Elite camp during the summer. Any single athlete that has been there (scholarship Long Snappers, All-Americans, NFL players) will tell you it is, by far, the best camp they have ever been to in their life. What you need to do is get back on the horse. Work smarter and harder.

Many great Long Snappers did NOT make it simply because in Vegas they didn’t feel they good. They did NOT have confidence. They were HOPING they would snap well instead of KNOWING they would snap well. Sound familiar?

Just because you didn’t make the TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE camp does NOT mean you are a bad Long Snapper at all and that you should just stop. It means that you need to work harder and smarter this summer. You need to knock my socks off. THE RANKINGS CAN BE ADJUSTED ANYTIME I SEE YOU LIVE. You need to show everyone this summer as I pass through the country. Dominate. Know you can do it AND do it! As I told a disappointed Long Snapper last night, it is not how you start the race, it is how you finish it. You, yes you, have the capability to be a top Long Snapper.

Are you one of them? Time to decide. Prove to me, and the rest of the world, that you belong.

Or don’t.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS…..

Rest

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Congratulations to the FINAL EVENT ELITE Member: John Morrison!

Did you figure out the clues?

LAST EVENT ELITE member: planetary object + city view from a prison and something an emu might not embrace – a consonant + splash of a big #

(This clue has absolutely nothing to do with anything! The only reason why I put something so odd was to really confuse everyone and throw off Morrison who has figured out every single clue I have put out!!! GOT YOU MORRISON!!!)

Congratulations to Rubio Long Snapper John Morrison (GA, ’14) on being the next member of the EVENT ELITE! The EVENT ELITE will be joining the TOP 12 to form the invite only, TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE Camp this summer.

Morrison was a very hard choice for me. He is not the biggest man in the world, or even his class, but he has heart and is always improving. He snapped EXTREMELY well out in Vegas and was finally snapping with an immense amount of confidence. He reminds me a ton of Rubio Long Snapper Matt Fortin for obvious reasons.

MORRISON_Event_Elite

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Congratulations to the next EVENT ELITE member: Joel Baldwin!

Did you figure out the clues?

EVENT ELITE: last of cat who was hitched to 80’s icon and Rubio style + what I do against @TheYount when we compete in snapping

(Billy JOEL was married to 80’s icon Christie Brinkley and BALD is Rubio style + I always win when Christian Yount and I compete in snapping)

Congratulations to Rubio Long Snapper Joel Baldwin (MS, ’14) on being the next member of the EVENT ELITE! The EVENT ELITE will be joining the TOP 12 to form the invite only, TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE Camp this summer.

Baldwin had a terrific Vegas event. He snapped with a ton of confidence and has a very fast snap back to the punters. The bigger he gets, the more he will improve.

Baldwin_Event_Elite

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Congratulations to the next Event Elite Member: Chris Nieto!

Did you figure out the clues?

Next EVENT ELITE: splash of actress that was asked to put them (evening/morning  band) on & flowery athlete mishap spot + a thing fish dont have

(CHRIStina Applegate, the actress, was sprayed about in PM DAWN’s, evening/morning band,  song, 2:26 in, and Derek ROSE injured his KNEE + fish don’t have TOES…… Therefore, Chris Nieto )

Congratulations to Rubio Long Snapper Chris Nieto (CA, ’14) on being the next member of the EVENT ELITE! The EVENT ELITE will be joining the TOP 12 to form the invite only, TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE Camp this summer.

Nieto is built extremely long, is athletic and has a major upside due to his frame and quick hands. He has the potential, if he works right and hard, to easily be a scholarship Long Snapper.

Nieto_Event_Elite

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Congratulations to the next EVENT ELITE member: Joe Lang!

Did you figure out the clues?

Next EVENT ELITE member: name of a very obscure and bleary river in the northwest and an early inventor of cold, fast footwear.

(An obscure/bleary, another word for shadowy, river in the northwest is the Shadowy St. JOE river in Idaho. Then, Lange were the first manufacturers of plastic ski boots)

Congratulations to Rubio Long Snapper Joe Lang (WA, ’14) on being the next member of the EVENT ELITE! The EVENT ELITE will be joining the TOP 12 to form the invite only, TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE Camp this summer.

Lang is built very well, snaps with great aggression and is extremely coachable. Tell him to do something and simply consider it done! …..FYI: I have not told him about his hair yet:)

Lang_Event_Elite

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Congratulations to EVENT ELITE Member: Garrett Frum!

Did you figure out the clues?

EVENT ELITE: last name of a guy that people that hover at beaches after people leave LOVE & a splash of how you’d describe a Bandersnatch

(people that hang out at beaches after people leave would be people with metal detectors. Pioneer of metal detectors was Charles GARRETT. Then, a Bandersnatch was described as frumious in the peom Jabberwocky by Louis Carroll. Splash of frumious would be FRUM. Therefore, Garrett Frum!)

Congratulations to Rubio Long Snapper Garrett Frum (CA, ’14) on being the next member of the EVENT ELITE! The EVENT ELITE will be joining the TOP 12 to form the invite only, TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE Camp this summer.

Frum is a very smooth Long Snapper that snaps a nice, strong ball that is easy to catch. He is built well and moves well on his feet. Tons of upside on this So. Cal. Long Snapper.

Garrett Frum Event Elite

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Congratulations Event Elite Member: Mitch Hardy!

Did you figure out the clues?

EVENT ELITE member: baseball player that got paddled in a movie that reminds you to watch the leather & some young chaps that are sleuths

(Matthew McConaughey’s character says “to watch the leather” in the movie Dazed and Confused. The baseball player that gets paddles is named MITCH. Some young chaps that are sleuths would The HARDY Boys…..Therefore, Mitch Hardy!)

Congratulations to Rubio Long Snapper Mitch Hardy (WI, ’14) on being the next member of the EVENT ELITE! The EVENT ELITE will be joining the TOP 12 to form the invite only, TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE Camp this summer.

Big Mitch Hardy is improved immensely in the past couple of years and is very well deserving of this honor. He is large, snaps the ball hard and with a ton of confidence. Hardy has one of the best personalities in the country…always positive and listening!

Mitch Hardy Event Elite

281

Congratulations to Event Elite Member: Blake Ferguson!

Did you figure out the clues?

EVENT ELITE member: sound of bad taste + an old athlete issue and northern birds wish they had it + splash of character in Grumpy Old Men.

(“Blah” would be the sound you make when you taste something bad + an old athlete would have aches. Blah + Aches = Blake. Then, northern birds would be cold and want to be warm, they could be warm with fur. Then one of the characters in Grumpy Old Men was Gustafson. Fur + Splash of Gustafson = Ferguson)

Congratulations to Rubio Long Snapper Blake Ferguson (GA, ’15) on being the next member of the EVENT ELITE! The EVENT ELITE will be joining the TOP 12 to form the invite only, TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE Camp this summer.

Blake is a long time Rubio Long Snapper and the current #1 for the class of 2015. He was flat out dominant all weekend in Vegas and this honor is well deserved!

Blake Ferguson

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Congratulations to Event Elite Member: Justin Garza!

Did you figure out the clues?

EVENT ELITE member: Another way to say you barely made it and a POSSIBLE nickname of Rocky Dennis’ “step-dad”

(Another way to say you barely made it would be to say you were Just In Time…Justin. Sam Elliott’s character in Mask was named Gar. His possible nickname would be Garza.)

Congratulations to Rubio Long Snapper Justin Garza (CA, ’14) on being the next member of the EVENT ELITE! The EVENT ELITE will be joining the TOP 12 to form the invite only, TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE Camp this summer.

Garza is an extremely intense Long Snapper that moves beyond well on his feet and snaps a rocket back to the punter. Great attitude.

Justin Garza

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