Chartiers Valley grad Christian Kuntz gets new football life as XFL long snapper

The XFL is back, and it will look different this time.

The original league lasted only one season in 2001, marred by spotty play, poor TV ratings and outlandish sideshows more associated with co-founder Vince McMahon’s primary endeavor, the WWE. The latest incarnation of the XFL — the season runs from February through April — promises “no gimmicks” and will focus on football rather than any peripheral trappings.

In short, the league re-invented itself.

Chartiers Valley grad Christian Kuntz re-invented himself, too, and it helped him land a job in the eight-team league. Kuntz, who, as a linebacker at Duquesne, graduated as the Northeast Conference’s all-time sacks leader, is long snapping for the Dallas Renegades.

Kuntz said he started long snapping at Duquesne, but when he began working out for NFL teams, he had his mind set on being a linebacker. Then, after getting released by the New England Patriots during his rookie camp, Kuntz said he turned his focus to long snapping.

“It’s something that takes time to perfect,” the 6-foot-2, 237-pound Kuntz said. “You have to learn the footwork, snap and get your head up quick. It’s definitely something I worked countless hours on.”

Kuntz, who will turn 26 in April, was in camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers this past summer and got to show his long-snapping skills during the final preseason game against Carolina. Though he failed to land a job with his hometown team, his performance piqued the interest of someone who played for a longtime Steelers nemesis.

Former Dallas Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston is the Renegades’ director of player personnel. He saw Kuntz’s film from that preseason game and immediately brought it to the attention of assistant coach Kenny Perry, who helps to oversee the Renegades special teams.

“Daryl said, ‘Watch this guy. Tell me what you think,’ ” said Perry, noting the exchange was more rhetorical as Johnston’s feelings were obvious. “Daryl said, ‘There’s just something I like about this kid.’

“He had only deep snapped for a little over a year … but you could tell the ball had some velocity. And, oh, by the way, he can cover and tackle.”

Because of the XFL’s rules regarding punt returns, the ability to cover and tackle is at a premium.

Members of the kicking team are not allowed to leave the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked, giving the return man ample space to field the ball and begin running. That means open-field tackling will be crucial for the kicking team.

Perry said the Renegades had another player in camp who was penciled in at long snapper, but Kuntz’s coverage abilities were superior and won him the job. So even though he won’t be playing linebacker — Perry said it is possible Kuntz could play there in an “emergency situation” — he still can call on his linebacker skills.

“There’s going to be a lot of returns, and people are going to be in open space, and I will have to show I can tackle these returners in open space,” Kuntz said. “That will be really good for me to get that film and everything.”

Ultimately, Kuntz’s goal is to land a permanent job in the NFL, and long snapper will be his best option. Perry said Kuntz is only scratching the surface at his new position.

Kuntz said he will miss playing linebacker but is comfortable with the path he is on.

“I always have thought I can play linebacker,” he said. “I played it my whole life and love the position. It would be a long shot to play there and not miss a step now, so I think long snapping is the go-to right now.

“I am lucky to be where I am at right now. … I think (the XFL) is going to be around for a long time and act as a farm system for the NFL in the long run. It’s perfect for me and some other guys on the team.”