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Supplemental Draft Prospect Interview: Eddie D'Antuono, LS, Virginia Tech
The Supplemental Draft is taking place on July 14th, and several players are already entering the process. One player entering the draft is Virginia Tech longsnapper Eddie D’Antuono. We had the honor to sit down with Eddie and ask him why he decided to leave school early.
What is your name?
-Eddie D’Antuono
What is your Height/Weight?
Where do you play college football?
Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?
-Helped out at a young boys birthday party playing football with the kids. I wore my VT jersey and took pictures and signed footballs for the kids.
What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?
-Professor Klock’s Financial Analytics Class.
Who is your role model, and why?
-My Father. I grew up trying to follow everything he did from his profession to how he took care of our family. He is a big part of my development on and off the field.
Why are you deciding to enter the Supplemental Draft?
-After Coach Beamer left (with his pro style punt formation) I felt like my best opportunity to excel snapping would be at the pro level. Once I got my degree in May I made the decision that entering the supplemental draft was best for me.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
-I played baseball my entire life until high school. My first year of football was in 9th grade at Bishop Ireton High School.
Did you play any other positions in football?
– I also played Center in high school.
At your position, what separates you from others?
-My size and experience blocking as a long snapper. At VT, the snapper had to slide to either the left or right and help in protection. Most colleges run the shield formation now where the snapper releases down the field. I spent 4 years blocking and doing it well.
When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?
– I like to watch where they bring pressure on punts/field goals and who I will be matching up with. On punts I would deal with a little bit of a smaller player who I would have to have quick feet with. On Field goals I usually had a bigger guy who forced me to dig my feet in the ground and avoid getting knocked back.
Who was the toughest player you ever faced?
– I faced a lot of great players in the ACC but one that sticks out in CJ Mosley who played for Alabama and now the Ravens.
If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?
-Comparing yourself as a long snapper is hard because the job is really under the radar.
What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?
-I’ve been very fortunate to not have a big obstacle I’ve had to overcome. I would say in general just getting to the division 1 ranks and earning a scholarship was a huge deal for me. I didn’t have much interest of high school until Bud Foster called in December of my senior year. I have to thank the Beamer family a lot for the opportunity they gave me, yet it took a lot of hard work. Snapping is all about muscle memory, so I made sure I had it drilled in my head.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
– I was big on my morning coffee. When the wake up call for night games was 11 am, I’d still get up at 7 am and get a cup.
What is your biggest strength?
– I’d say my biggest strength is my character and my dedication to my craft. I really enjoy getting out for 30-45minutes everyday to work on perfecting every snap.
What is your biggest weakness?
– I can be pretty hard on myself. As a snapper, it is important to have short term memory.
If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?
– I’m a big snapper who you wouldn’t have to worry about in protection from day 1. Snapping is all about repetitions, and you wouldn’t have to worry about me putting the work in. I enjoy my craft and would do everything I could to be the best in the NFL
Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?
– I was a big New York Giants fan and Eli Manning.
If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?
-Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Dwight Eisenhower
What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?
– I would invest in the stock market.