Michael O’Connor, a long snapper for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, has taken an unusual path to his current position on the football team. Growing up in Middletown, New Jersey, O’Connor did not initially plan to become a long snapper or even pursue a career as a Division I football player.
O’Connor began playing football before his freshman year at Middletown South High School, originally joining as a tight end and defensive end. When the team needed a kicker, he stepped into the role and quickly developed a passion for it. “All freshman season, I kind of fell in love with kicking,” O’Connor said. “And I worked on it every day. Before and after practice, starting practice and even days that we had off.” His efforts earned him a spot on the varsity team by Thanksgiving of his freshman year.
After two years at Middletown South, O’Connor transferred to Red Bank Catholic High School where he excelled as the Caseys’ starting kicker. He converted all field goal and extra point attempts during his time there.
Although he received several FCS scholarship offers, O’Connor chose to join Rutgers University as a preferred walk-on under head coach Greg Schiano. At Rutgers, he played multiple roles including reserve placekicker and punter. His opportunity to become a long snapper came unexpectedly during a 2022 walkthrough when special assistant Joe Susan noticed him snapping for fun. The following day, special teams coaches encouraged him to develop this skill further.
“I actually got put at scout wide receiver as well,” O’Connor said. “So, I was a scout team wide receiver and a long snapper who had no idea how to snap.” Through continued practice and adaptation—including experimenting with different techniques—he earned the starting long snapper position beginning with the second game of the season against Temple.
After focusing on punt snapping for part of that season, O’Connor eventually handled all long-snapping duties by year’s end. While he did not play in games during 2024, he returned this season as the primary long snapper for both kicks and punts.
Off the field, O’Connor completed his undergraduate degree in business management and is now pursuing a master’s degree in supply chain management at Rutgers University. He credits both football and academic resources provided by Rutgers for helping student-athletes succeed: “The resources that football and Rutgers have given us academically to succeed have really been helpful,” he said. “Not just for my development, but everybody on the team. We get so many resources.”
Reflecting on his journey so far—which has included several unexpected turns—O’Connor emphasized faith’s importance in guiding him through opportunities: “I don’t think it’s any coincidence,” he said of his career path. “I’m big in my faith and I believe that God has put me in these situations and that is exactly what was supposed to happen to me. And that’s how my whole journey has been.”
