It feels good to be about halfway through the countdown. 7 weeks from tomorrow Purdue will finally take the field for football season, and you won't have to listen o me extol the virtues of the backup long snapper anymore. This has been a fun series though. It has given some guys a spotlight they haven't normally had. Speaking of the backup long snapper, that is exactly who I am profiling today.
Jesse Schmitt - Fr.
Hometown: Louisville, KY (Trinity HS)
Long Snapper
6'2", 225 pounds
2010 Projection: Likely redshirt
I would have gone to school for free as a long snapper.
When we decided to give a scholarship to a long snapper I was a bit skeptical. Most ling snappers go the way of John Finch, our current guy. They come to the program either as walk-ons or as a scholarship guy at another position. Andy Huffman, our previous long snapper, was the same as Finch.
Schmitt was different though. He was rated as the number two long snapper nationally by Ray Guy/Pro Kicker.com. After winning the Kentucky Class 6A state championship in his first three years of high school his Shamrocks came up short in this year's title game. He is a smart kid that plans on majoring in movement and sports science.
Schmitt will likely redshirt this year, as Finch has the starting job nailed down. He could begin playing next year when Finch is gone. We will need someone to step up at this critical, yet often overlooked position. He certainly looks promising based on his glowing reviews.
Boilermakings notes:
Purdue Official Athletic Site
Several Purdue athletes were named as distinguished scholars by the Big Ten.
Scout.com: 2010 Notre Dame Preview
I think I am one of the few that doesn't see Brian Kelly as the end all/be all coach. This same cycle happened with Bob Davie, Ty Willingham, and Charlie Weis. We all know where it leads. Minor success blown out of proportion, then a firing in five years when they haven't even come close to winning a title. Purdue can skip them past step one on September 5, and we are already given no shot. I love it.