It’s Senior Bowl week and I’m headed to Mobile, Alabama to take part in the fun. This week is something I look forward to each year. There’s great food, better people and plenty of football to indulge in at South Alabama.
One of the highlights of the week at the Senior Bowl is getting to talk with the players. Seeing how the next generation of NFL stars tick is always fun each year. On my flight down to Mobile, I sat next to Michigan long snapper, William Wagner.
Obviously, I knew who he was from the College Football Playoff bag that he had strapped around his shoulder. From there, we initiated on some small talk but I didn’t want to take up too much of his time. After all, he’s going to be plenty busy this week with practice, interviews, team meetings and much more.
That said, William was kind enough to give me time to interview him about the way he approaches the game, how he became a long snapper and so much more. Here’s my interview with Michigan long snapper William Wagner!
Russ: You mentioned that a lot of your family is from Mobile, Alabama. How important is it for you to have your college journey come full circle to the Senior Bowl?
William: It’s very important for me. Especially, my mother. She’s been to a bunch of Senior Bowls and just to have my family there will be so cool. A lot of fun moments with the parade down there with my family. In fact, my uncle still lives down there so this will be a special week.
Russ: Talking before our flight, you had mentioned that you played multiple positions in high school football. What were some of those but also, how did you settle on being a long snapper and know that it’s what you wanted to do?
William: I played OL and DL, a little bit of LB. Then was on special teams. My brother played at Mercer and I knew that I wanted to play college football. From there, I wanted a scholarship to a Power-5 school. I started taking long snapping more serious in 8th grade, and kept at it. An opportunity opened up at Michigan and with me wanting to be an engineer, it all worked out.
Russ: Oh, that’s pretty cool. What type of degree do you have?
William: I’ve got a degree in Mechanical Engineering and my Master Degree is in Manufacturing.
Russ: How did your long snapping process improve, and how did you get better at it?
William: Technically, I started long snapping in 5th grade and decided in 8th grade that I wanted to get better at it. So I started doing it 3 or 4 times per week. It’s like a golf swing — once I found my rhythm and tinkered with my snap, I knew it all felt right. I still mess with it some today. Things that I always tell myself for long snapping is accuracy, consistency, spiral and speed.
Russ: Walk me through some of your process when long snapping? What are some of your keys when approaching the football?
William: On punt, I look for which leg is up from the opposition. If his outside leg is up then that means that he’s probably going to try and block. In college I had a man but as I get ready for the NFL, I started looking more at feet and their tendencies. I take one step and react accordingly from the defender’s reaction.
Russ: Which special team unit do you like to play?
William: I like playing them all but I love playing punt. I love hitting guys. I can do both (field goal and punt) but if you give me a chance to hit someone, I’m gonna take it.
Russ: When watching films, what are some things that you look for from the special team units you’re going to play?
William: I look at the previous year and find tendencies. 25 to the goal line – are they a rush team? Are they a return team? That will depend on the coordinator. 25 to 50, probably more in a safe look. Then I review with my special teams coordinator. After that, I look at individual players and take notes from there.
Russ: I’m sure this has happened but has there ever been a situation in a game where you got nervous before snapping? If so, can you walk us through that?
William: Ohio State vs Michigan this year on the game-winning kick. It’s always one thing with any pressure situation, but that was a pressure situation for 30 minutes because of how close the game was, and we were up for the game-winning kick. Through that process, we worked on a few practice snaps and then just focused on my breathing.
Russ: Are there any NFL teams you study on special teams? Any particular teams you feel like you could be a fit in the NFL?
William: I’ve watched the Houston Texans and Jon Weeks. Love what they’re doing. Then there’s the Carolina Panthers and J.J. Jansen and the Tennessee Titans and Morgan Cox. When watching them, I look at certain body types against them and what they do it against it.
Even though Wagner doesn’t play everyone’s favorite position such as quarterback or running back, he does play his favorite spot on the field. He loves his role and is incredibly happy and thankful to be a Michigan Wolverine. Playing special teams may not be for everyone but it’s an important job for every football team. I wish William all the best this week in Mobile and as he continues his journey to the NFL. You can follow William on Twitter/X: @Williamwagner55
