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#46 Dalton Converse |
Position: Long Snapper Previous College: None Projection: Starter Status: Walk-On |
Dalton L. Converse (b. March 31, 1993) is a reserve long snapper in 2011 and 2013 who will look to take over full-time duties as a redshirt junior. He has been voted a player representative for the 2014 season.
Converse redshirted in 2012 after snapping in the Cotton Bowl against Arkansas, missing zero snaps, and was perfect on all eight snaps in his games played in 2013 against West Virginia, Kansas and Michigan.
That perfection is all the more impressive when you consider poor Converse literally was thrown into the lion's den to begin 2012. He had walked on in 2011 as both a linebacker and long snapper, and figured to redshirt in 2011.
But his predecessor, Marcus Heit, failed to remain academically eligible after the fall semester and was not able to travel with the team to the Cotton Bowl, which obviously left us in quite a bind.
Converse's redshirt was lifted and he was told he would be the starting long snapper for the big game.
With the inexperienced Converse firing 11 perfect snaps to him, Ryan Doerr averaged 42.6 yards per punt, with one downed inside the 20, one in excess of 50 yards, two touchbacks and two fair catches.
Not bad for your first action ever as a collegiate football player, on one of the biggest stages on which you can play.
Heit reclaimed his job in 2012 spring practice and handled all of the long-snapping duties that season. But now he has graduated, leaving Converse as the experienced long snapper on the roster. He should acquit himself well.