Much like referees or the tank of a toilet, one rarely notices a long snapper unless something has gone wrong. They are integral parts of the game of football, and these special team players can go on to have long and prosperous careers in the NFL.
Jonathan Washburn is hoping to make an impact at the college level first, and he is bringing his talents to the University of Georgia.
Jonathan Washburn Enrolls at Georgia
Big things coming... pic.twitter.com/WWMuBwuh7v
— Jonathan Washburn (@JonathanW_18) June 3, 2021
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Jonathan Washburn, a Georgia native, won't have to travel far to play for the Bulldogs next year. His hometown of Ringgold, Georgia, is just a three-hour drive from Athens. The long snapper played his prep ball for the Heritage High School Generals and received quite a bit of praise for his talents.
He's already arrived on campus to start prepping for the 2021 season.
Jonathan Washburn Scouting Report and Highlights
Jonathan Washburn was a participant at the Rubio Long Snapping Camp last summer, which is a showcase event for long snappers all across the United States. After several impressive performances at camp, Washburn became a"six-star" prospect, the highest grade a long snapper can receive using founder Chris Rubio's metrics.
His snaps are smooth and he has an athletic build of 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. Interestingly, he also ran a 40-yard dash in 4.85 seconds, a number not blinding by a wide receiver or a running back's standards, but still notable and quick for someone playing a position that does not need to rely on speed.
With Washburn's impressive snap time, Rubio Long Snapping scouts believed he could've beeen a college-level long snapper when he was in high school.
Washburn took to social media to declare his commitment back in October 2020, and will give UGA head coach Kirby Smart another special teams weapon as a preferred walk-on.
Georgia football is known for its emphasis on attracting special teams talent, most notably Indianapolis Colts kicker Rodrigo Blankenship. The Bulldogs are hopeful that Washburn can be another positive to this aspect of the game. Georgia boasts the fourth-ranked 2021 college football recruiting class in the country.
Although the road may be difficult and winding for the long snapper and his quest for NFL stardom, the hope is that he will one day be the next Morgan Cox or Nick Sundberg.
