The program’s fourth commit in a one-week span and their second of the day, the Florida Gators added Lake Mary long snapper Rocco Underwood to their 2021 class on July 24.
Underwood broke the news on his Twitter account.
Staying home!! 🔷🔶🐊 #chompdown21 pic.twitter.com/KoX8y4Vhum
— Jonathan Rocco Underwood (@rocco_4015) July 24, 2020
The Rubio Long Snapping Camp, the nation’s longest-running long snapping camp, run by former UCLA Bruin Chris Rubio, rates Underwood as a five-star prospect at the position.
“Underwood was on fire at the Rubio Long Snapping Fall Camp in Georgia on November 24, 2019,” the camp’s website, rubiolongsnapping.com, began in their prospect breakdown.
“He ended up winning the whole camp and left no doubt he is the top long snapper (in) his class. His size is fantastic, he moves well on his feet and his snapping motion is so smooth that it doesn’t even look like he is doing anything.
“The more he continues his follow through, the more he simply will not miss his target. Ball is ready right now for the next level. Underwood is a flat out stud.”
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, the long snapper also held offers from two other Southeastern Conference (SEC) programs, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Arkansas Razorbacks, but chose to pledge his allegiance to running backs coach Greg Knox, tight ends coach Tim Brewster and the Gators.
Using the 247Sports Composite, which lists Underwood as a tight end, he is the lowest-rated of Florida’s 22 current commits in the upcoming class. Given he does not project to contribute in the receiving game in Gainesville, not much stock should be put in this ranking.
Head coach Dan Mullen’s staff has placed an emphasis on securing in-state talent in the 2021 cycle, as 14 (64-percent) of the commits hail from the Sunshine State.
While sometimes overlooked by fans, games are often won and lost on special teams. By snagging one of, if not the top, long snapper in the class, the Gators took a step toward improving this third of the game moving forward on Friday.
[lawrence-related id=19000,18979,18828,18584,18564]