Penn-Trafford alum Michael Pifer lauded for efforts as Navy long-snapper
There are long-snappers who get little recognition — most of them — and then there are long-snappers like Michael Pifer.
The Navy senior and Penn-Trafford alum, in his second season as the starting “LS” for the Midshipmen, is considered one of the best at his position in the country.
The position is taking him places.
Pifer was named a first-team All-American by Special Teams University and has been invited to the ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl set for Jan. 18, 2020 at the Rose Bowl.
The postseason all-star game is for draft-eligible college players.
Pifer, who snaps for all punts and placekicks, is up for the Mannelly Award, presented to the top long-snapper in major college football.
Blessed to accept an early invitation to play in the @NFLPABowl ! #GoNavy @NavyFB pic.twitter.com/HSX9BVy15n
— Michael Pifer (@mikepifer36) November 24, 2019
Pifer (6-3, 245), who has four tackles this season, attended a Kohl’s Kicking Camp coming out of Penn-Trafford and was invited to a showcase in Florida. Kohl’s rated him sixth in the nation in the 2015 class.
Long story short, that is how Navy discovered him. Pifer had preferred walk-on offers from Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia.
Last year, Air Force’s Austin Cutting was the only long-snapper taken in the NFL Draft. He is with the Minnesota Vikings.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
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