There are very few long snapper positions available at the collegiate level, but West Marion senior Eli Smith has secured one of them. Smith, who also started for the Trojans at center, signed a letter of intent to play at Jones College on National Signing Day Feb. 4 to continue his playing career.
The 6-foot, 220-pounder said he’s very excited about the opportunity to play for the Bobcats.
“I’m very blessed,” he said. "The coaches — the entire coaching staff really — and all of the people over there are really welcoming.”
For most positions, coaches scout players through film and attending games, but it’s different for special teamers. There’s only so much a coach can see about how a player snaps on film, so Smith had to secure his offer another way.
Smith traveled to Ellisville during the summer prior to his senior season to try out for Jones, and he stood out as the best long snapper on the field that day.
“One thing led to another and the Lord just blessed me through it,” he said.
Smith will be joined by his teammate, Judd Harmon, at Jones, and the duo was able to enjoy a joint signing ceremony in West Marion’s library.
“A lot of hard work went into these kids’ careers, so it’s a special day,” Trojans head coach Mason Woodrow said about Smith and Harmon signing. “We’re all really happy for them. They have put a lot into our program, and I’m deeply thankful to both of them for all of their hard work. I won a lot of football games with them, but they’re really, really good kids too. We know they’re going to represent us well after they go off to college.”
“It makes it really special,” Smith said of signing alongside Harmon.
Smith thanked his parents, Zach and Holly, for always supporting and believing in him as well as his coaches and the Lord.
“Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, is No. 1,” he said of who he is most thankful for.
