Tag: Mannelly award

Florida football’s Rocco Underwood wins 2024 Mannelly Award

Gators’ Rocco Underwood has won the Mannelly Award, an honor given to the nation’s top long snapper.

In a season marked by standout performances, Florida football long snapper Rocco Underwood has risen above the rest to claim the prestigious 2024 Mannelly Award, an honor bestowed annually to the nation’s top collegiate long snapper.

Underwood, who has been a cornerstone of reliability for the Gators’ special teams, played a pivotal role in Florida’s kicking game. His precision in snapping not only enhanced the efficiency of field goals and extra points but also significantly impacted the success of punts.

This contributed to the Gators’ special teams’ status among the best of the best in the SEC this season.

The Mannelly Award, named after Patrick Mannelly, the former long-time NFL long snapper for the Chicago Bears, is considered the highest accolade a collegiate long snapper can achieve.

Underwood’s recognition is a testament to his hard work, consistency and the critical role he plays in the dynamics of the game.

The redshirt junior out of Lake Mary, Florida, is in his fourth season with the Gators and was named AFCA Second-Team All-American and All-SEC Second Team this year. Standing at 6-foot-3-inches and weighing in at 228 pounds, the long-snapper played 103 snaps and recorded three total tackles this season.

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Alabama long snapper Kneeland Hibbett named to Mannelly Award watchlist

Alabama long snapper Kneeland Hibbett was recently listed on the Mannelly Award watchlist. The award recognizes the top long snapper in college football.

Alabama Crimson Tide senior long snapper Kneeland Hibbett was recently listed on the Mannelly Award watchlist. The award recognizes the top long snapper in college football.

Hibbett has been Alabama’s starting long snapper since the start of the 2021 season. The native of Florence, Alabama has played in 42 games for the Crimson Tide over the last three seasons. In 2023, Hibbett received All-SEC recognition from coaches from within the conference.

Hibbett’s impact might not be as noticeable as others, but he has been a leader and a reliable asset for the Crimson Tide. It will be interesting to see if Hibbett does enough to receive the Mannelly Award following the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program.

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.

Alabama long snapper Kneeland Hibbett named to Mannelly Award watchlist

Alabama’s Kneeland Hibbett has been tabbed as a long snapper to watch among the nation’s best.

The Patrick Mannelly Award recognizes the top long snapper in college football. Recently, the 2023 watchlist was revealed, which highlights some of the best in the nation. Alabama’s Kneeland Hibbett has been tabbed as a player to watch.

The award has only been around since 2019. However, despite only having four recipients at this point, Hibbett wouldn’t be the Crimson Tide’s first winner. In 2020, Alabama long snapper Thomas Fletcher won the award.

The unsung heroes of special teams, long snappers serve a crucial role in a team’s success, as they are overlooked if they are doing their job well. It is only when constant mistakes are made do fans learn the names of the long snappers. Perhaps to a certain extent the goal is to remain as anonymous as possible.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Kneeland Hibbett as the 2023 college football season approaches.

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