The big deal about Josh Keyt

Well it was bound to happen sooner or later, and last night it did, IU got its first verbal for this class, but it wasn't what many fans expected and it's gotten a lot of fans and forum posters questioning why in the world Lynch would give up a scholarship to a Long Snapper. Well, the questions are valid, but let me assure you, Josh Keyt isn't just a run of the mill long snapper. In fact, if Rivals or Scout rated long snappers, Josh would be a 5 star recruit. He's the top LS in the Midwest this year, and unless IU reals in Morgan Newton, I can assure you that Josh will be the highest rated kid at his position in this class.

Josh will come to IU next fall and redshirt as a preferred walk-on or greyshirt, then come January 2010, he'll get his full ride and be on scholarship throughout his career. Josh will be doing just exactly what Terrance Turner (WR) did a couple of years ago. This way the staff doesn't lose a scholarship this season, but still locks up the Midwest's best player at his position. Josh is also a pretty good DE, and besides his snapping, he'll start his career as a LS/DE and go from there, but regardless, he's here to do mainly one thing, and that's long snap.

Tim Bugg was IU's long snapper last season and he consistantly snapped the ball from his down position to the holders hands or punter's hands in .70 to .75 seconds. The average NFL snapper is between .7 and .8 seconds, so you can see that Tim ranked right there with the very good timed snappers. Also, Tim was accurate, and rarely did a ball go anywhere but right to the punter and/or the holder. Even in bad weather, the balls were consistantly placed and the times were the same. Not many people can LS it consistantly every time and that's why Tim was the best LS in college football last season. Next season, Brandon, Tim's brother takes over and though he's not quite as quick getting the snap back there (averages .80 seconds), he's just as accurate.

Josh Keyt snaps consistantly at .70 seconds, which is right where Tim was last season and faster than Brandon. He's also pretty consistant, which is why he's the top snapper in the Midwest. He crafted his trade at Chris Sailor's kicking camps and credits his instructors and his dad for helping him achieve an offer from a division 1 school and earning a scholarship. Also, if you saw my post on Peegs today, he's a friend, and I'm pretty pumped up about having a Putnam County athlete playing for IU.

The funny thing about Josh is that he lives within about 5 minutes of where Coach Lynch has a summer house in Putnam County on Heritage Lake. It's a small world sometimes. Anyway, so for those that fear or question that Coach Lynch and staff are out of their minds offering a long snapper, rest assured that Josh is special and pretty hard to pass up. Fans have stated that IU needs to offer the state's best players and Josh is the best at his position. Games are won and lost constantly on special teams play and unless it's a kickoff, it all starts with the long snapper and if he fails to do his job, the play doesn't go anywhere.

Hope this blogs finds it's readers well and may God bless you all!!!