During one portion of my career, I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time learning about special teams evaluations for the pro draft, particularly field goal kickers, holders, and long snappers. The amount of information collected on these individuals, particularly the long snappers startled me. Certain kickers and holders require long snappers that can make the ball rotate a certain number of times while arriving at a certain velocity. It is down to the quarter turn on the ball in some cases and where the kicker likes the laces to be when the ball hits his hands. I always viewed a long snapper as a specialist position because of the need for downfield punt coverage and you don't always get what you need out of centers that play downs 1-3. Boy was I wrong. Having the physical tools to handle the blocking and the coverage is part of it, but the technique and finesse needed to be a D1 long snapper would shock you.
Of all the people on the signing list, I view HIguera as the biggest get and definitely the best prospect at his position that we've had in a long time.
