Navigating the NFL Draft for any player can be a difficult tightrope with an ever-changing landscape. Tackling that as a specialist is walking that tightrope while being blindfolded and juggling rainbow trout.
The opportunities are few and far between for these players. When a team finds a consistent long-snapper, punter or kicker, they tend to have the job for a while. It’s a bunch of Liam Neesons with a certain set of skills that can be overlooked by the casual fan but are so crucial to a successful NFL team.
Some may be overwhelmed with trying to break into the NFL specialist ranks, but not Colorado State long-snapper and former Brophy Bronco Ross Reiter. The Rubio Long Snapping Second-Team All-American and Mannelly Award (best long snapper in the nation) semifinalist has relied on his faith and his preparation to find a home at the next level.
The Phoenix native said the pre-draft process is very similar to navigating a college recruitment, where getting your name out there is key and finding that one perfect needle in a massive haystack can help you find the perfect setting to play college football.
A part of one of college football’s best special teams units, Reiter has delivered consistent snaps with punter Ryan Stonehouse and kicker Cayden Camper flipping the field and capping off drives. He caught up with Sports360AZ at the East-West Shrine Bowl to talk about his career at Colorado State, how Brophy set him up for success and trusting himself during a busy draft ramp-up.
