Johnny Den Bleyker (30)
Photo by: Don Liebig/ASUCLA
Den Bleyker Named to Long Snapper Award Watch List
August 14, 2019 | Football
UCLA senior Johnny Den Bleyker has been named to the Watch List for the Patrick Mannelly Long Snapper Award. The award is presented to the overall best long snapper at the Division I FBS level. The winner must be of senior standing, have started 75% of games in his senior season, snap on punts and placements, and demonstrate a strong mentality, notable athleticism, as well as speed, accuracy and consistency in their snaps.
Den Bleyker has held down the Bruins long snapping duties for place kicks and punts during his first three seasons. He was credited with a fumble recovery last year against Fresno State and merited honorable mention Academic All-Pac-12 accolades. In 2017, Den Bleyker recorded a tackle and recovered a fumbled punt at Stanford. During his freshman campaign, he was the snapper on all kicks in his first year in the program. Den Bleyker has earned a spot on the Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll in multiple quarters during 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The Mannelly Long Snapper Award recipient will be determined by a committee comprised of former NFL long snappers, punters, kickers, special team coaches, as well as snapping instructors, NFL agents and sportswriters. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 16. The award finalists will be revealed on November 23 with the announcement and trophy presentation for the winner to be held on December 14.
Patrick Mannelly, widely recognized as the best long snapper in the modern NFL era, was a four-year starter at long snapper and two-year starter on the offensive line at Duke before being selected by the Chicago Bears in the 1998 NFL Draft. He is the Bears career leader in games played, at 245, after playing 16 seasons and winner of the Ed Block Courage Award.
The Patrick Mannelly Award is presented by Bernie's Book Bank, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing book ownership among at-risk children.
Den Bleyker has held down the Bruins long snapping duties for place kicks and punts during his first three seasons. He was credited with a fumble recovery last year against Fresno State and merited honorable mention Academic All-Pac-12 accolades. In 2017, Den Bleyker recorded a tackle and recovered a fumbled punt at Stanford. During his freshman campaign, he was the snapper on all kicks in his first year in the program. Den Bleyker has earned a spot on the Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll in multiple quarters during 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The Mannelly Long Snapper Award recipient will be determined by a committee comprised of former NFL long snappers, punters, kickers, special team coaches, as well as snapping instructors, NFL agents and sportswriters. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 16. The award finalists will be revealed on November 23 with the announcement and trophy presentation for the winner to be held on December 14.
Patrick Mannelly, widely recognized as the best long snapper in the modern NFL era, was a four-year starter at long snapper and two-year starter on the offensive line at Duke before being selected by the Chicago Bears in the 1998 NFL Draft. He is the Bears career leader in games played, at 245, after playing 16 seasons and winner of the Ed Block Courage Award.
The Patrick Mannelly Award is presented by Bernie's Book Bank, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing book ownership among at-risk children.