Andrew DePaola

Last updated

Andrew DePaola
Andrew DePaola 2016 (cropped).jpg
DePaola with the Buccaneers in 2016
No. 42 – Minnesota Vikings
Position: Long snapper
Personal information
Born: (1987-07-28) July 28, 1987 (age 36)
Parkton, Maryland, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:229 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school: Hereford
(Parkton, Maryland)
College: Rutgers (2008–2011)
Undrafted: 2012
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Games played:123
Total tackles:20
Fumble recoveries:1
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Andrew DePaola Jr. (dee-PAW-luh; born July 28, 1987) is an American football long snapper for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He made his professional debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 7, 2014. [1] He played football and baseball in high school before playing college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Contents

Early years and college career

DePaola was born in Sparks, Maryland, a town in Baltimore County. [2] In 2001, DePaola entered Hereford High School in Parkton, Maryland as a freshman with a passion for baseball, but soon shifted his focus to football. [3] DePaola quickly became an integral part of the school’s football team, the Bulls, and was promoted to the varsity squad his sophomore year. That same year, DePaola helped the Bulls win the 2A state championship in football. DePaola’s success continued into his senior year, in which he again led the football team to the state championship but ultimately lost. As the team’s quarterback, DePaola completed his senior year completing 68% of his passes, throwing 22 touchdowns, 2,092 passing yards, and allowing only 7 interceptions, leading his team to set a state record for single season scoring of 636 points. [4] In addition to receiving the Baltimore County Offensive Player of the Year award from The Baltimore Sun, DePaola also received honors as an all-Metro and All-State player. [3] The last football game DePaola would play during his high school career would be the Good Samaritan Bowl hosted at the Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. [5] While DePaola did make football his athletic focus during his high school career, he continued to play baseball earning all-Metro honors his senior year after batting .527 and posting a 3–1 record as a pitcher. [6]

After high school, DePaola went on to Rutgers University and joined the football team as a walk-on. [7] His first year, DePaola was redshirted, a technique in player management for college sports in which students may practice with the team while attending classes, but not play in any games. [3] During his first two seasons on the team, including his redshirt season, DePaola served as the team's third string quarterback, helping the team prepare for games during practices. DePaola served as the team's holder on field goals during his third season, not once dropping the ball. It was during this season when DePaola was featured on ESPN SportsCenter for a play in which DePaola received the ball for a field goal against the University of South Florida, but instead completed a fifteen-yard pass for a touchdown. [3] DePaola began his fourth season with Rutgers as a wide receiver, but became the team's long snapper when the starting long snapper Jeremy Branch sustained a leg injury. [7] During the final four games of that season and for the entirety of his fifth season, DePaola served as the team's starting long snapper, playing in every game that final season. [3] DePaola went undrafted by a professional team after completing college.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+58 in
(1.84 m)
215 lb
(98 kg)
4.72 s1.67 s2.68 s4.28 s6.88 s33.0 in
(0.84 m)
9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)
20 reps
All values from Pro Day [8]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Although DePaola was not drafted after college, he did sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a long snapper in early August 2012 during training camp, but after three weeks he was waived on August 27, 2012. [9] On Thursday January 3, 2013, DePaola was signed to a future contract by the Buccaneers, meaning that at the start of the upcoming season DePaola would sign with the Buccaneers and be added to the active roster. [9] DePaola was one of the final cuts in training camp in favor of long snapper Andrew Economos. [10] On May 14, 2014, DePaola re-signed with the Buccaneers under a two-year contract. [11] DePaola made his on-field debut against the Carolina Panthers on September 7, 2014, with two snaps on successful extra point attempts and one tackle assist. [12] He went on to be the long snapper for the Buccaneers for three seasons from 2014 to 2016.

On August 22, 2017, DePaola re-signed with the Buccaneers, only to be released on September 1, 2017 during final roster cuts. [13] [14]

Chicago Bears

On September 3, 2017, DePaola was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears. [15]

Oakland Raiders

On March 16, 2018, DePaola signed a four-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. [16] [17] In Week 1, DePaola suffered a torn ACL and was placed on injured reserve on September 12, 2018. [18]

On August 25, 2019, DePaola was released by the Raiders. [19]

Carolina Panthers

On August 28, 2019, DePaola was signed by the Panthers. [20] He was released during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019. [21]

After sitting out the 2019 NFL season, DePaola had a tryout with the Houston Texans on August 20, 2020. [22]

Minnesota Vikings

On November 21, 2020, DePaola was signed to the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings. [23] He was elevated to the active roster on November 21 and November 28 for the team's weeks 11 and 12 games against the Dallas Cowboys and Panthers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. [23] [24] He was promoted to the active roster on December 2, 2020. [25] He was voted to the All-Pro team with the Vikings on January 11, 2022.

On March 14, 2023, DePaola signed a three-year contract extension with the Vikings. [26]

Related Research Articles

Daniel Anthony Turk was an American football center and long snapper in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald McCoy</span> American football player (born 1988)

Gerald Keith McCoy Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the third overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. McCoy has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times, and was selected to one First-team All-Pro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Murphy</span> American football player (born 1987)

Louis Morris Murphy Jr. is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football for the University of Florida, where he was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. The Oakland Raiders drafted him in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, and he has also played for the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Larsen</span> American football player (born 1987)

Theodore Larsen is a former American football guard. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at NC State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garrison Sanborn</span> American football player (born 1985)

Garrison Sanborn is an American football long snapper who is a free agent. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Florida State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Glennon</span> American football player (born 1989)

Michael Joseph Glennon is an American football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Brewer (long snapper)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Aaron Brewer is an American football long snapper for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Brewer signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football at San Diego State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carson Tinker</span> American football player (born 1989)

Carson Tinker is an American football long snapper for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where was a member of their 2009 National Championship team and played as the starting long snapper for both the 2011 and 2012 national championship teams. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Omameh</span> American football player (born 1989)

Patrick Chuba Omameh Jr. is an American football offensive guard who is a free agent. After going undrafted in 2013, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent. He previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders. He played college football for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 2009 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desmond Trufant</span> American football player (born 1990)

Desmond Trufant is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Kush</span> American football player (born 1989)

Eric Kush is a former American football guard. He played college football at California University of Pennsylvania. Kush was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round with the 170th overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Adarius Taylor is an American professional gridiron football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He first enrolled at Iowa Western Community College then Eastern Arizona College before transferring to Florida Atlantic University. He attended Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, Florida. He has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, and Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pharoh Cooper</span> American football player (born 1995)

Pharoh Cooper is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Nassib</span> American football player (born 1993)

Carl Paul Nassib is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, earning unanimous All-American honors as a senior in 2015. Nassib was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and has also played for the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2021, Nassib became the first active NFL player to publicly come out as gay and to play in a game.

Sterling Eugene Bailey is a former American football defensive end. He played college football at Georgia. Bailey was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and Arizona Cardinals.

Luke Rhodes is an American football long snapper for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at William & Mary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaydon Mickens</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jaydon Mickens is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Washington, and signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Mickens won a Super Bowl title as part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV over the Kansas City Chiefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Joseph</span> South African American football player (born 1994)

Greg Joseph is a South African-born American professional football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida Atlantic and signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Later that year, Joseph made his NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns. He has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Trent Sieg is an American football long snapper for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Colorado State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Triner</span> American football player (born 1991)

Zach Michael Triner is an American football long snapper for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Assumption.

References

  1. "Andrew DePaola". Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  2. "Andrew DePaola". NFL. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Andrew DePaola". Hereford High School. November 6, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  4. "The DePaolas: Hereford High Family Legacy Comes to an End". April 28, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  5. "Having 'fun' for last time, East wins in football, 35-23". The Baltimore sun. June 12, 2005. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  6. "Andrew DePaola". CBS. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  7. 1 2 "The Long Snapper (a Rutgers tale)" . Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  8. "2010 Draft Scout Andrew DePaola, Rutgers NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Bucs Ink 10 to Future Deals". January 3, 2013. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  10. "Andrew DePaola cut; Andrew Economos wins longsnapper competition". August 31, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  11. "Andrew DePaola" . Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  12. "Game Center". Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  13. Smith, Scott (August 22, 2017). "Bucs Bring Back DePaola, Waive Adjei-Barimah". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  14. Smith, Scott (September 1, 2017). "Bucs Start Roster Trim with D-Line Moves". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  15. Mayer, Larry (September 3, 2017). "Bears claim three players off waivers". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  16. Alper, Josh (March 16, 2018). "Raiders sign LS Andrew DePaola to four-year deal". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  17. "Raiders Sign Long Snapper Andrew DePaola". Raiders.com. March 16, 2018. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  18. "Raiders sign Bryant and Sieg; place DePaola on IR and waive Hatcher". Raiders.com. September 12, 2018.
  19. "Raiders sign Liuget and Allen-Williams; release DePaola and place Doug Martin on IR". Raiders.com. August 25, 2019.
  20. Williams, Charean (August 28, 2019). "Panthers place Destiny Vaeao on IR, sign Andrew DePaola". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  21. Henson, Max (August 30, 2019). "Panthers announce first wave of 2019 roster cuts". Panthers.com. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  22. @AlbertBreer (August 20, 2020). "Today's tryout/visit list" (Tweet). Retrieved August 21, 2020 via Twitter.
  23. 1 2 "Vikings Activate FB C.J. Ham, Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. November 21, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  24. @Vikings (November 28, 2020). "The #Vikings have elevated practice squad LS @andrewdepaola and TE @B_Dillon44 to the active roster for tomorrow's game. @swervinirvin_ has been downgraded to out" (Tweet). Retrieved January 7, 2021 via Twitter.
  25. "Vikings Activate Adam Thielen from Reserve/COVID-19 list; Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. December 2, 2020.
  26. Young, Lindsey (March 14, 2023). "Andrew DePaola & Vikings Agree to Terms to Return All-Pro Long Snapper". Vikings.com.