Interview with Georgia’s best long snapper, 4.5-star recruit Scott Meyer

Blessed Trinity High School was a stacked and loaded team in 2014. The Titans ran their regular season scheduled going 13-1 before falling in the fourth round of the playoffs to Washington County 28-17.

On offense Titans head coach Tim McFarlin had junior quarterback Conor Davis under center and 1,300 yard rusher Milton Shelton in the backfield guiding the offense. Davis threw 20 touchdown passes and Shelton picked up 17 of the team’s 43 rushing scores (MaxPrep stats). Each time Blessed Trinity scored a dynamic duo stepped onto the field, long snapper Scott Meyer and kicker Mitchell Rostowsky. Through the season Meyer never misfired on 57 extra point attempts and Rostowsky never missed the freebie.

The precision of the snap to the holder, be it on field goals or point after attempts, was perfect all season long. Even though the Titans rarely punted, Meyer was perfect on 27 punt snap opportunities drilling the ball back to the punter better than any other player in the state of Georgia during the 2014 season.

The 6’1”, 210 pound, junior was so good in 2014 he earned Second-Team All-State honors. The Atlanta Journal Constitution even named him the No. 1 snapper in the state.

College coaches rarely lineup offers for many special team players with Meyer’s abilities but this Georgia native has received plenty of attention from top programs like Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi State, Penn State, Georgia Tech, Wisconsin, and Miami. All schools most every high school player would love to play college ball for and each school could have a shot at landing Meyer when his senior season is completed.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with Scott to go over the Titans’ deep run into the playoffs, offseason long snapping camps with Chris Rubio, his one-day college camp schedule, and how recruiting is shaping up for one of the best high school players at his position in the nation.

 

Scott, how did the 2014 season go for you personally last year?

“Our team went 13-1. I personally had over 100 snaps and did not have one bad one. So that was pretty good. I want to have another good season this year.”

How does the team look heading into the 2015 season?

“We lost one key player but besides that we’ll have every body back. I think we’ll be a lot better this year and we’ll be able to fix any mistakes from last year.”

You’re a star long snapper but do you line up at any other position for Blessed Trinity?

“I was playing on the offensive and defensive line but at the beginning of last year I broke my finger, that kind of hurt my snapping ability. So I just stuck with long snapping to stay away from injury and just snap.”

Will you focus on just snapping during your senior season as well?

“Yeah, probably, just because I don’t want to risk anything for the future.”

Let’s talk about what makes you a great long snapper. What is your average speed when you snap?

“I’m around .70, .71 seconds. That’s pretty a little above average but average for a Division-I snapper.”

When you snap are more legs than arms or more arms than legs?

“I try to focus more on my legs. Long snapping is the only position in any sport you do on your heels. It’s one of those things where you get momentum by leaning back and driving with your legs but also having quick hands and elbows.”

At Chris Rubio’s camp in Vegas how well did you perform?

“I finished with the highest RSI of anybody in the Class of 2016 there. I had the highest target score. I was one of the finalists in the final competition round. I finished third.”

What was your RSI?

“It was about 41 or 42 I can’t remember. I got a 29 on the target.”

Who were the other guys you went up against in the finals?

“In the semifinals I lost to Geron Eatherly (ranked No. 4) who went on to lose to Donald Reiter (ranked No. 14). I was one of the Top 12 finalists in the camp.”

Did you make Rubio’s Elite 12?

“I made the Top 12 of the camp last year and this year so this will be my second time.”

What are your goals for the 2015 season?

“Just try to keep every snap consistent and make every snap perfect. I want to do what I can to help the team win. Work on my athleticism and try to cover better.”

I know down field coverage is a big consideration in Rubio’s rankings. Did you have any tackles last year on punt team coverage?

“We didn’t punt much, all the times we did they were fair caught. I had one tackle and one assisted tackle. We punt 20 times and only like 10 – 8 that tried to return it.”

What were your snap numbers from last year?

“I was 28/28 on punts, 71/71 PATs (point after attempts), 13/13 on field goal snaps.”

Which schools are recruiting you right now?

“I’ve been talking a lot with Georgia, Mississippi State, and Wisconsin. I’ve gotten a lot of stuff from Penn State and I’ve talked a lot to Georgia Tech.”

Have you been on any unofficial visits yet?

“I’ve been to a couple of games at Georgia and Mississippi State.”

How did the Georgia visit go for you?

“I loved it. I love everybody there. The coaches are amazing, one of the tops in the country. It just feels like home.”

What about your visit to Mississippi State?

“I loved it also. I became good friends with their snapper at a camp last year. He showed me how everything works there. I really loved it and I really loved the coach. Coach (Greg) Knox is a great guy.”

Which summer camps do you plan on attending this year?

“I just went to the Georgia camp. I’m going to the Alabama, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, and Penn State camps. There’s a lot.”

With the Georgia camp, obviously you have a familiarity with the coaching staff there. How did that camp go?

“It went real well. I got to snap in front of Coach (John) Lily (special teams coach) and Coach (Mark) Richt (head coach). I talked to Coach Lily quite a bit. It was real fun.”

How was everything left with UGA after the camp?

“They’re still deciding on what they’re going to do with their long snapper this year. They’re trying to decide if they’ll give a scholarship or get one to walk-on. I don’t know.”

I know Penn State is a school looking to add a scholarship long snapper at their camp this summer. Are you geared up for that camp?

“Yes sir. They have sent me a lot of letters. I think they are trying to get the best guys there and see who is the best.”

Of the other schools that you mentioned, like Bama and Georgia Tech, where is everything with those schools in terms of recruiting?

“Bama and Georgia Tech are looking for preferred walk-ons but those are schools I would definitely love to go to. Rubio is running the Alabama camp. A lot of the Rubio guys will be there. It will be pretty cool to catch up with them on a different stage.”

What are some of the schools out there if you were to attend a camp and do well you might receive an offer?

“Wisconsin said they are looking to bring a guy in this year. Miami said they are looking to bring a guy in this year. USF (South Florida) said they are looking to bring a guy in this year. I think that is about it. A lot of schools are just looking for preferred walk-ons. Another thing some of the schools are doing is having a competition between the long snapper they have on scholarship and the new guy coming in for the scholarship.”

With all that is on the line at the various camps this summer what are you doing to prepare for the camps and your senior year?

“I’m trying to go to all the football workouts that my team has in the mornings. They brought in a great company called Breakout Training. They can really get us in great shape and get us a lot faster and stronger. I’m also running on my own. That’s really helped a lot.”

What are some of the running drills that you are doing to improve your speed? Are you doing sprints or long distance running?

“It’s pretty much just training for my 40, but also to train for ladders, hurdles, agility work, and quick in-and-out shuffles and stuff.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I guess it’s the team and how it’s like a fraternity but it’s more on a personal level because all the guys on the team have the same mindset on the team as me and that is a lot different than what I can get anywhere else. It’s like a brotherhood.”

Since the interview Scott won camp MVP honors at Alabama, Cincinnati, and South Florida. 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: football university; top camp honors.

Photo credit: Chris Rubio; Scott snaps at one of Rubio’s camps.