Name: William Wagner
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 245 lbs.
High school: Alpharetta (GA) Alpharetta
Position: Long snapper
Class: Sixth year senior
Jersey number: #49
Last year: I ranked Wagner #3 5and said he would be the starting long snapper (LINK). He started all fifteen games.
TTB Rating: N/A
Wagner missed a chunk of the 2022 season due to a torn ACL and the Wolverines lost to Georgia in the College Football Playoff.
Last year Wagner was healthy, and Michigan won a national championship.
Coincidence? I think not.
You could make the argument that a long snapper shouldn't be in the top 25, but most Michigan fans probably remember Scott Sypniewski's errant snap with a bad thumb that led to an embarrassing loss to Michigan State. Luckily, Michigan does have a quality backup in Greg Tarr (who also filled in after Wagner was hurt in 2022), but special teams are going to be key in 2024. Michigan is likely to be in tighter games and has a tougher schedule than 2023, so field position and field goal kicking are going to be important.
Prediction: Starting long snapper
The best long snapper is one you never notice or think about. The more boring a long snapper is, the better he is. Long live the boring long snapper!
ReplyDeleteOof. With Tarr on roster & well tested, this may be too high
ReplyDelete