I was at an OVC school one time covering a camp when a kid who was 5-10 and weighed 170-pounds, soaking wet, walked up to the head coach and said, “Coach, thanks so much for offering me. I want to go home and weigh my options. I will be getting back to you fairly soon. I will let you know.”
This kid looked like he was there to tryout for the college golf, tennis, or swim team. I thought maybe this head football coach, at the FCS, Division I level, was moonlighting by coaching some secondary sport.
The kid was too short to play QB. The kid didn’t have the “athletic bounce” to play WR or DB. He was neither thick nor long and tall enough for S or LB. Obviously, both lines of scrimmage were eliminated.
No sir, he was pretty clearly a specialist. Specialists are extremely important at any level of football and can decide outcomes of closely fought ball games even more quickly than position players.
I looked at the coach and said, “You guys offering rides to place-kickers?” He said, “Nope, but you’re close.”
I said, “That guy a punter?” The coach said, “No sir, he’s a long snapper.”
Long snappers can be vital. Not having one with any skill or aptitude sticks out like a sore thumb. A kid who can do it can get an opportunity to play next level even if he looks like he’s on the swim team.
Dravin Routt is a specimen. He is a fantastic high school football player who anchors the defensive line for Mason County’s Royals (3A, District 6).
Routt is Kentucky’s premier long snapper. Routt is also one of the country’s finest at that specialty.
Routt, first of all, and this would be the exact reason I would offer him a full-ride were I making the decision, is a guy who could be a long snapper and an interior lineman should you run short and need one. I have a friend who went to a school as a long snapper and his first day of practice they asked him to be an OG on the scout team. He was back home about three hours later.
Dravin Routt is a kid who, were you to ask him to go to OG or DT on the scout team, might well replace your regular at either slot before the first game. He is a monster. He is a football player.
Routt is 5-11 and weighs 240-pounds. He runs the 40-yard dash in 5.42 seconds. He bench presses 315-pounds. He back squats 500.
Routt was sixth on the Royals’ defense in ’20 in tackles. Routt was among the team leaders in TFLs and QB-sacks as well as FFs and FRs.
Needless to say, he looks nothing like a college swimmer or golfer. Pad him up! Put him out there! See for yourself!
To me, this kid would have tremendous value on a college roster. This kid here is a definite take.
To have a specialist, like a long snapper, who could play a few other spots for you in a pinch? What’s that worth? I would say the price of one scholarship, for which you’re getting (in essence) three players ought to get him for you!
This is Coach HB Lyon, reporting for KPGFootball, and we’re JUST CALLING IT LIKE WE SEE IT!
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