Name: Ian O’Grady
School: Tusculum College
Position: Long Snapper
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 225

Q: What were some of your goals heading into your final collegiate season?

Some of the goals I wanted to have going into my final season were to give my punter and kicker the best possible chance to be successful. The ultimate team goal was to win, so being a snapper there’s only so many things I can do to help the team, so I wanted to make sure those few things were done better than what was expected.

Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?

Smart, Consistent, and Determined.

Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?

There are a couple opportunities that have opened up for me. I was able to meet and sign with A.N.D. Sports & Entertainment and through them I was lucky enough to meet Jon Akemon who has had the professional experience and the proper technique and advice for me to play and perform at that next level. I’ll also be training with my coach/mentor Nick Flemming who is in charge of All-American Kicking down in Florida who I have been training with for almost 8 years. I also plan on making frequent stops to Tusculum to train with long time friend and Punter, Hunter Cantrell, who is also preparing himself for the next level.

Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?

When studying film on myself, I look for many things such as my snapping form and the ball placement. There a lot of things to study and focus on when it comes to studying your own snap itself, so I like to pin point on that. When studying film of other teams, I always watch how players will play against me as well as my other teammates. I like to study the game as well as my position, so I try to see what punt schemes work best against certain returns.

Q: What separates you from the other players at your position?

What I believe separates me from other Long Snappers is the want I have to get down the field and make a play. I see most snappers just focus on the snapping and blocking, but then once the punt is off, they become a wasted player and slowly make their way down the field. I understand the most important part of snapping is the snap itself and then being able to block your man, but the difference with me is once I’m done with that, I’m looking to make a play down field.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?

I believe some of the strengths and abilities I have on the field is that I like to stay positive as well as keep the rest of the team around me positive. I’m not afraid to speak my mind and stand up in front of a team. I’m also not afraid to lay a shoulder down and hit somebody when it comes time to. Off the field, I believe my strengths and abilities are that I love to get better. Whenever there is a chance to improve my skills, whether it be at snapping or just my overall athletic ability, I jump on it. I’m always looking for ways to improve myself off the field as a man and as a player.

Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?

My final pitch would be how I don’t want to just do the minimum and be done with it. I want to do more than just be the guy that snaps. I want to be a playmaker. If I can be on other special teams like kickoff or punt return I would. If I’m needed at any position in order to help the team, I’m doing it. I’m going to do anything that I possibly can to make myself and my team successful.