[Buckskin86]

McQuaide Hoping to be Next Buckeye You Forget
By John Porentas

Ohio State returns one of the most veteran teams it has ever fielded in 2008. Experience returns at every position including those at which they lost starters last season. The lone exception to that rule is at the long snapper position.

The line of great long snappers at OSU is impressive. Dimitrious Makridis performed well last season, particularly in rain-soaked Michigan Stadium where a bad snap may have cost the Buckeyes a game. It didn't happen. Before Makridis Drew "Chucky" Norman was as reliable as clockwork as OSU's guy over the ball on special teams. Before him, Kyle Andrews was OSU's long snapper through the 2003 season. OSU long snapper Kevin Houser actually had a long NFL career at that position after playing almost no time at all at tight end during his OSU career.

If that list of long snappers jogged your memory a little, be thankful. Long snappers, good ones at least, are just like holders, the most forgettable players on any roster. You only remember them if they make mistakes, and if you didn't remember those names, it means they were probably doing their jobs very well.

Jake McQuaide wants to be the next player you forget. McQuaide will be a redshirt sophomore next season and is currently the odds-on favorite to handle at least part of OSU's long-snapping this fall.

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