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SOUTH BEND, Ind. Michael Vinson, it seems, collects nicknames as easily as he does raves from his coaches. Back in his New Trier days, the long snapper was known as “Vinny” or “The Godfather.” Since arriving at Notre Dame, Vinson has come to be known simply as “Milk.” The meaning behind that is twofold. “One, he is kind of pasty white got to be honest,” said Nolan Owen, his personal long-snapping instructor for the last six years. “And two, he has a massive obsession over milk. He loves drinking milk.” That’s one way Vinson has been able to build up his 6-2, 226-pound frame to the point where he has become an indispensable part of the Fighting Irish special-teams units. Brought in as a preferred walk-on in 2018, Vinson surprised plenty within the program by willing his way to become the worthy successor to John Shannon.
Is Camaron Cheeseman, aspiring dentist, the NFL draft s top long-snapper?
Former Michigan long-snapper Camaron Cheeseman opted out of the 2020 college season but is hoping to hear his name called during the 2021 NFL draft.
James Black/Icon Sportswire
Back in 2018, No. 12 Michigan was holding on to a 13-7 lead over No. 15 Wisconsin during the first drive of the second half.
The Wolverines were facing a fourth-and-6 from their own 44 and lined up to punt. As they got the kick away, a flag came out for roughing the snapper, giving Jim Harbaugh s squad a fresh set of downs.
Five plays later, the Wolverines were in the end zone, the first of 25 consecutive points in a 38-13 rout of the Badgers.