Hello: Scott Sypniewski Comment Count

Ace



Via the Rubio Long Snapping Flickr

In a commitment that caught pretty much everyone off guard, Ottawa (IL) long snapper Scott Sypniewki has committed to Michigan on a full scholarship, as first announced by long-snapping guru Chris Rubio and confirmed by multiple outlets. Sypniewski is the 21st commit in the class of 2013 and (surprise!) the first long snapper. A bit more info on his commitment comes via Scout's Allen Trieu ($):

"They said they need one. They just lost their starter, Tom Pomarico. They have one guy who is going to be a senior and they were going to bring in two walk-ons. They've seen my film and knew I was good enough to start there and that's why they offered me a scholarship."

No further explanation is necessary, I'm sure.

GURU RATINGS

Scout Rivals ESPN 247 Sports
NR LS NR LS NR LS NR LS

Sypniewski, unsurprisingly, is not rated by any of the recruiting services. Chris Rubio Long Snapping, however, specializes in this sort of thing, and they've got him as the #2 long snapper in the 2013 class (Taybor Pepper was 6th) and a five-star prospect. Sypniewski is listed at 6'1", 230.

The above link comprises almost all of the available scouting information on Sypniewski that a 15-minutes Google-stalk could turn up. It is, shall we say, laudatory:

Sypniewski is a man on a mission. Body is looking thick and muscular. He is moving well and snapping rockets. Attitude on this kid is amazing. Tell him to do something and consider it done. He has a good time but is full of rage when he is snapping. Love it. Ball is smooth, on target and crisp. He gets set and BOOM! the ball is in your hands. Very impressed with him and he is a no brainer scholarship kid!



Sypniewski is just flat out fantastic! Ball is like a missle yet very easy to catch. Movement is flawless and he is snapping with ease. Looks like he is not even trying but, before you blink, the ball is right on your hip. Accuracy, consistency and speed are all excellent. A tad lighter on his feet could bump him up and I am being picky. Sypniewski is terrific and is snapping with a TON of confidence. I am fully expecting him to stick his chest out and dominate in Vegas.  4/12

There's also this, er, juicy tidbit [emphasis mine]:

Excellent job by Sypniewski. Body is becoming athletic and thick. Huge legs and butt. Great for a Long Snapper. Ball, when he snaps the ball HARD, is absolutely fantastic. Blocks extremely well for his age when he gets back. Tremendous personality. Does a great job of improving every single time. Great worker and will be a great teammate to those around him.

Recruiting!

The Wolverine's Andy Reid caught up with Rubio—who's been coaching Sypniewski since 2009—shortly after his commitment for additional insight ($):

Rubio said Sypniewski's strengths are his size and strength in the blocking game and, most importantly, the speed and fluidity of his snaps.



"He's fantastic," Rubio said. "His snap is just so smooth, but it's still a such a rapid movement. You almost think there's no way it could be coming this quick, because it's still so smooth. It's just boom, hits you."



"I would like to see him work on his footwork, continuing to get downfield after the snap. But, in all honesty, he really doesn't need much right now to make the step up to the next level."

Sounds like he could be an early contributor, as current snapper/folk hero Jareth Glanda will be a redshirt senior when Sypniewski gets on campus. I won't really attempt to add anything else to the scouting of a long snapper, especially since—as you'll see below—there's an astounding amount of film on the kid. He's got a 15-yard snap time of .69 seconds, [Ed-S: This is 44 miles per hour. Four FAKES out of FIVE!] which I imagine is very good but have zero context for saying so.

UPDATE: There are a couple of other long-snapper rankings out there, and it appears there are large disparities between the respective lists—if I had to guess, these rankings vary wildly depending on whose camps these prospects attend. Sypniewski comes in at #14 on Kohl's Professional Camps snapper rankings, and indeed, you must attend one of their camps to be included. Here's their writeup:

Scott has a solid frame with very good mechanics. His overall SS and LS accuracy is good and he is consistent with his snap speed. Scott finished with an average snap time of .74 seconds at the Midwest Showcase Camp in December of 2011 with his best snap time recorded at .70 seconds. Scott has good footwork and a quick ball release which allows him to get back into protection quickly. He has great lower body explosiveness with good ball rotation. Scott will be a good fit for any protection scheme.

Prokicker.com, meanwhile, doesn't have Sypniewski in their top 25 for the class of 2013, though if his reported snap times are close to accurate, he's should probably be in the top couple spots.

[H/T to mgouser goblueritzy92 for dropping those links in the comments.]

OFFERS

Sypniewski's Scout profile, which probably was created 15 minutes ago, lists no other suitors besides Michigan.

STATS

Um, stats?

FAKE 40 TIME

None listed, unfortunately. All of the FAKEs.

VIDEO

Yes, we've got highlights:

Oh, and it doesn't end there. For 15(!) more videos of Sypniewski snapping, click here.

PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE

When Sypniewski arrives on campus, Michigan will have Glanda as a redshirt senior at long snapper as well as 2012 preferred walk-on Tyler Tokarsky. Tokarsky, for what it's worth, says his plans to attend Michigan have not changed despite the news of Sypniewski's commitment. Sypniewski and Tokarsky should battle for the starting job in 2014, then hopefully we'll never hear from either again barring any improbable catches on fake field goals.

If you remember, Michigan did have a second preferred walk-on snapper lined up for the class of 2012, Taybor Pepper, but he chose to attend Michigan State when Mark Dantonio offered him a scholarship.

UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS

The Wolverines now sit at 21 commitments in a class that should reach 23-24, though one has to wonder if there's any concerns about extra attrition given the offer to a position normally filled by walk-ons or players who change positions. Michigan will likely still take a wide receiver—there's still a spot reserved for Laquon Treadwell, at least—and they could also add a cornerback, running back, or strongside defensive end.

Comments

ChiBlueBoy

June 6th, 2012 at 6:32 PM ^

This is only an issue because we have such an amazing class. Hoke must know something and has decided it's worth it to offer a LS (maybe Cravens had secret long-snapping skills and it's always been a huge priority). Staff must feel that we'll be able to sign all the 5 and 4* players we can land or that the walk-ons simply weren't going to get the job done. I don't know or understand the thinking, but I'll take this class as is. At this point, we're playing with house money. I'm choosing to be both pleased and confused.

Hoke Uber Alles.

Sopwith

June 6th, 2012 at 6:38 PM ^

Guess the coaches saw some ugly snapping in spring ball.  Anyway, welcome, kid.  May we never hear your name called by the announcer.

Edit: removed the pic.  felt sorry for the bear falling out of the tree.

 

bdsisme

June 6th, 2012 at 6:42 PM ^

We offer plenty of schollies to guys that end up never seeing the field.  Offering one every four years to a guy who will start for four years isn't that bad of an idea.  As soon as we have a 40+ MPH windy game day, you'll be glad we have him.

snowcrash

June 6th, 2012 at 6:51 PM ^

"...is full of rage when he is snapping "

He's Brandon Minor!

"Tremendous personality. "

He has a future in coaching, at least at Michigan!

In all seriousness, special teams are important and the tradeoff between this guy and the guy who would have gotten his spot could go either way. The last guy we would have taken for the class would probably have been a 3 star, but 3 stars can be very important contributors. We'll see how this works out.

Someone made the earlier point that if anybody could longsnap then NFL teams wouldn't carry long snappers, but NFL teams also have the luxury of picking up a free agent if they are short at a position. College teams don't.

 

graybeaver

June 6th, 2012 at 7:52 PM ^

If he turns out to be a good long snapper then it's worth it. I can think of some pretty bad 4th string qb's that had a scholarship and never played in a game. The coaches could care less about recruiting rankings.

Blue boy johnson

June 6th, 2012 at 7:54 PM ^

OMG.... what will this do to our average star rating in the race for the number one class? This, I think, is the impetus behind the animosity towards this fine young man getting a schollie to the University of Michigan.

Congrats Scott

michgoblue

June 6th, 2012 at 8:27 PM ^

It's not like we are turning away top talent to get this kid. We still have room in this class for a top RB, treadwell or some other top WR, and another DE. Hoke has sytematically shores up ecery need i this class with great talent. And there is still room for some final gems. Also, I know that everyone is assuming a class of 24, but that assumes no real attrition. There s always attrition. We will get up to 25-26 in my completely uninformed speculation.

bluewave720

June 6th, 2012 at 8:14 PM ^

choose between a long snapper and pretty much any other position, I'll usually take the "any other position" when it comes to using a scholarship.  Especially in June.

However, ask me that question in the fourth quarter of a November game with our punters heels just inside our own end zone.  I'll then tell you I'm pretty damn happy we have a dedicated specialist getting the ball to him.

A blocked punt/bad snap can turn the tide of an entire game.  Not as frequently occurring as most other plays, but probably only beaten by pick-6 and kick return for a TD as far as momentum swings.

This is not as bad as Purdue taking another QB.  It's not sexy, but  reasonable given our depth chart.

Scott, if you are reading this thread and are new to mgoblog, welcome and good luck.  Any kind of negativity you are reading is only because we really haven't had a thing to complain about in approximately 7 months.  

biakabutoucan_sam

June 6th, 2012 at 8:19 PM ^

Short-sighted cat is short-sighted. Hoke has been shoring up every other weakness this team has so it makes sense to take measures to improve one of the most glaring.

I'm sure there's some lols being had at his expense on other campuses, but i'm willing to bet that there's a plan and Hannibal Hoke always loves it when a plan comes together.

 

3rdGenerationBlue

June 6th, 2012 at 8:40 PM ^

This scholarship is final confirmation that virtually every sports blog, this one in particular, is based on speculation. If Brian and his team are so knowledgeable how is this such a surprise?

RakeFight

June 6th, 2012 at 9:28 PM ^

Who dropped those links in the original thread?  Yah, that would have been me spedning valuable time at work and getting no credit.

/sore loser

One Inch Woody…

June 6th, 2012 at 9:34 PM ^

Yeah all this complaining is outrageous. The last 4 spots of our class were going to be saved for Treadwell, McQuay, Green, and Mathis. Out of those 4, the BEST we could possibly hope for is 3. Treadwell, McQuay, and Green are our best bets. Neither of those are close to committing and there is plenty of time for their leader schools to change. In the meantime, attrition will occur and some seniors will not be granted a 5th year. It is entirely possible that we will reach 25. But still, with the 3 that we have somewhat of a chance for, there is still room. AND we filled a position of need. EVERYBODY WINS! :)

Tyang

June 6th, 2012 at 9:39 PM ^

According to rivals we got 2 commitments today. The long snapper ath, and the offensive line men. Both with the same names, which brings us up to 22 recruits. Lol

Princetonwolverine

June 6th, 2012 at 9:40 PM ^

How long ago was that picture taken of him at the Big House? He looks about 10 yrs old.

B-Nut-GoBlue

June 6th, 2012 at 9:46 PM ^

If anyone cares this young fellow is from the same highschool (same town/area) as former Michigan TE/FB Aaron Shea.  It's weird that I know this, but I do.

Don

June 6th, 2012 at 9:52 PM ^

When it's performing well day after day, you don't think about it at all. When it breaks down, all of a sudden it's a big fucking deal.

BlueLotCrew

June 6th, 2012 at 9:55 PM ^

Thick legs and a nice butt, and ive been known to snap pretty well on idiots on this board, can I get a scolly?

gajensen

June 6th, 2012 at 10:38 PM ^

There's a mini meltdown because the kid has *zero* stars and projects to see around five snaps a game if all works out for him, when traditionally scholarships aren't given to such players and we currently have a walk on at the same position of allegedly comparable talent.

It's just...a reach.

Huss

June 6th, 2012 at 9:57 PM ^

It's recruiting.  It's kids were talking about.  Some will be goodt, some wont be, others will fade away into oblivion and make you feel like asshats for caring so much about their star ratings in the first place.  If you think this kid is "taking up a scholarship," well, go fuck yourself - suddenly you're an expert on the proper make up of a football team?  And insulting the kids worth in the process?  We get it.  You all think long snappers are easy to coach up.  Hoke and co. obviously think this kid is a gem and he's worth their attention - and they're clearly not excited about any of the other hopefuls on the roster once Glanda leaves.  

I've already said more than I should.  None of you should care so much about how recruiting scholarships and priorities are allocated.  Welcome aboard, Scott.  All of us could have only hoped to have been as smart as you as a 17 year old - turning your unique talent into a full-ride scholarship, avoiding a lifetime of what-ifs about your overrated athletic ability and developing a penchant for posting on Michigan message boards begging for  MOAR OMG SHIRTLESS recruits.

uncleFred

June 6th, 2012 at 10:10 PM ^

Hi Scott,

   Welcome to Michigan! May your time here be four of the best years of your life and prepare you for the rest of it. I look forward to watching you snap the ball on either the point after or the field goal that wins us the national championship. 

   Guys. These coaches know EXACTLY what they are building toward. I have no idea how tough or easy it may be to groom a long snapper out of the line. I do trust these coaches. They wanted a specialist and felt it worth a scholarship. So be it. 

Maizenblueball

June 6th, 2012 at 10:30 PM ^

Ace, you made me LOL at your line:

"No further explanation is necessary, I'm sure." 

I don't know why, but it cracked me up.  Full disclosure- I'm going on 4 hours of sleep today.

Cope

June 6th, 2012 at 10:43 PM ^

Glad to have you. Love the attitude stuff! You'll fit in well on this team. Big Ten championship is coming soon.
This kid could be another team leader!