Football: Long snappers get their respect

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OK, the nine-part series on top players by position in Southern California has ended, but here’s a bonus: long snappers.

Chris Rubio, a former UCLA long snapper who has become a private coach, has put together a list of the players he thinks rank as the best in Southern California for the position.

Scott Thompson from Trabuco Hills is already committed to North Carolina State. Tanner Gibas from Covina Charter Oak is considered the fastest long snapper in the country, according to Rubio.

Also on the list are Jay Weneta from Orange Lutheran, Derek O’Dell from Santa Ana Foothill, Chris Longo from La Canada St. Francis and Kevin Keane from Moorpark.

Long snappers are even less appreciated than offensive linemen, but they are critical to getting off punts and field goals. And colleges have started to give them full scholarships.

-- Eric Sondheimer