Purdue will have a completely new unit on place kicks this year. Snapper Nick Zecchino, holder Jack Albers, and kicker Mitchell Fineran are all gone. That leaves the longsnapper position open, and today's player may fill it.

Nick Taylor - Jr. (RS)

Indianapolis, IN (Lawrence North HS)

6'4", 225 pounds

Long Snapper

2023 Projection: Possible Starter

In recent years the position of long snapper has grown in importance. It now has its own specialist camps, recruiting rankings, and long-time performers often end up getting awarded scholarships. Zecchino has been the imcumbent since the start of 2019, so there are big shoes to fill there.

Taylor has some game experience. He appeared very late in the blowout of Indiana State last season, snapping on the extra point attempt by Caleb Krockover. He was an academic All-Big Ten selection for the second year in a row too.

In high school at Lawrence North he was a solid outside linebacker and a pretty good baseball player too. He batted .250 in 27 games according to his MaxPreps profile and he finsihed hsi senior season with over 100 tackles.

Taylor will battle senior transfer Daniel Hawthorne from Missouri for the starting role.

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