Tag: Long Snappers

Wisconsin lands commitment from SEC transfer long snapper

Wisconsin lands commitment from SEC transfer long snapper

Luke Fickell’s aggressiveness in the transfer portal continues to benefit the Wisconsin Badgers football program.

The Badgers landed yet another commitment from the portal on Monday evening when they secured a pledge from former Arkansas long snapper Eli Stein.

Stein is Wisconsin’s sixth transfer commitment on Monday, joining Richmond safety Matthew Traynor, Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., UT-Martin defensive lineman Charles Perkins, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker and San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil.

The veteran specialist and Cambridge, Wisconsin native transfers to Madison with a pair of seasons at the NCAA Division I level under his belt. From 2022-23, Stein started in 23 games for the Razorbacks as the team’s primary long snapper. In those games, he logged 234 snaps on special teams.

He’s been named to the Patrick Mannelly Award watch list twice and also notched a spot on the Freshman All-SEC Team in 2022.

At Cambridge High School, Stein was a consensus five-star prospect by Kohl’s Kicking and Rubio Long Snapping for the class of 2022. He also elected to commit to the program over offers from Wisconsin, Illinois, Baylor and Stanford.

While Stein may not receive headlines for pass-catching capabilities or defensive statistics, the Badgers are in need of some support at the position. Redshirt senior Cayson Pfeiffer just wrapped up his sixth year of college football and redshirt senior Duncan McKinley has played in one game during his five years at UW.

For more as this transfer cycle continues, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Green Bay Packers release former Wisconsin Badgers long snapper

Green Bay Packers release former Wisconsin Badgers long snapper

The Green Bay Packers released former Wisconsin Badgers long snapper Peter Bowden last week, according to the Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. 

This marks the second occasion the Packers decided to part ways with Bowden. The UW alumnus was released just two days into Green Bay’s training camp to open a roster spot for quarterback Jacob Eason.

Despite being re-signed a few days later, Green Bay ultimately elected to release the former UW specialist to open up roster spots for linebacker Chris Russell and running back Nate McCrary.

Both Russell and McCrary landed with the Packers as depth pieces following injuries on the 90-man roster. Still, Green Bay’s 53-man roster deadline is slated for Aug. 27 at 3:00 p.m. CT.

Bowden had been competing with former Super Bowl champion Matt Orzech for the starting long-snapper position. This move could signal the end of that battle.

The San Diego, California native served as Wisconsin’s starting long snapper from 2021-23. In 2023, his fifth year on campus, he was named a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award (for the nation’s best long snapper) after starting all 13 of UW’s contests.

He will continue to fight for a roster spot within the next week.

Wisconsin long snapper cracks 2024 Mannelly Award watch list

Wisconsin long snapper cracks 2024 Mannelly Award watch list

Wisconsin long snapper Cayson Pfieffer was included in the 2024 Patrick Mannelly Award watch list on Monday.

The honor is annually awarded to the best long snapper in college football. It was founded by former Chicago Bears’ long snapper Patrick Mannelly, football trainer Chris Rubio and creator of Longsnap.com Kevin Gold.

Former winners include Notre Dame’s John Shannon (2019), Alabama’s Thomas Fletcher (2020), Pittsburgh’s Cal Adomitis (2021), Penn State’s Chris  Stoll (2022) and NC State’s Joe Shimko (2023).

Pfieffer arrives in Madison after five seasons representing the Cincinnati Bearcats. He served as UC’s primary long snapper from 2020-23 and snapped in 49 games.

During his redshirt junior season in 2022, Pfieffer helped Cincinnati register a net punting average of 44.88, good enough for No. 2 in the nation.

Pfieffer also played long snapper for four seasons under Wisconsin’s current head coach Luke Fickell in his previous tenure with the Bearcats.

Like many of Wisconsin’s staff members, Pfieffer appears to have followed Fickell to Madison.

Pfieffer becomes one of the first Badgers to crack a watch list for a position-based award. He is currently listed as Wisconsin’s No. 1 option at long snapper ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Green Bay Packers release former Wisconsin long snapper

Green Bay Packers release former Wisconsin long snapper

The Green Bay Packers released former Wisconsin long snapper Peter Bowden on Tuesday.

The move came just two days into Green Bay’s training camp began, as the Packers made the move to open a roster spot for quarterback Jacob Eason.

With Bowden’s departure, Green Bay is left with one long snapper on its 90-man roster: 2022 Super Bowl champion Matt Orzech.

At UW, Bowden served as the primary long snapper from 2021-23. He registered 39 starts at the position and was listed as a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award (awarded to the nation’s best long-snapper) in 2023.

Despite his release, Packers Wire notes that Bowden could make a return to Green Bay’s roster after quarterback Jordan Love inks a new contract. The 53-man roster will be finalized in August.

Bowden was among a hefty list of Wisconsin alumni on an NFL roster entering training camp, a list that includes All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt, former Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and legendary running back  Jonathan Taylor.

Former Badger football specialist showcases his Wisconsin knowledge in recent Packers video

Former Badger football specialist showcases his Wisconsin knowledge in recent Packers video

Former Wisconsin long snapper Peter Bowden showcased his knowledge of the state of Wisconsin in a recent social media video from the Green Bay Packers on Friday.

In the video, Green Bay’s social team tests its rookie class’ knowledge of Wisconsin town names. While nearly every rookie in the video mispronounces the names, Bowden aces the test.

Despite being from San Diego, California, Bowden’s Wisconsin connections paid off during his tenure in Madison.

“All my teammates that I hung out with were from Wisconsin,” Bowden said towards the tail end of the video.

In April, the former Badger signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft. He served as Wisconsin’s primary long snapper from 2021-23.

Bowden notched 39 starts at the position over a three-year period and wrapped up his final collegiate captain as finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, awarded to the nation’s most impressive long snapper, in 2023.

Former Super Bowl champion Matt Orzech is currently listed as the Packers’ No. 1 long snapper. Bowden will have a chance to win that job when training camp begins.