Underwood Tabbed as Mannelly Award Semifinalist
Florida’s third-year starting long snapper has been recognized as one of the nation’s premier specialists.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gators long snapper Rocco Underwood has been selected as a 2024 Patrick Mannelly Award semifinalist, distinguishing him as one of the top long snappers in FBS.
The Lake Mary, Fla. Native has been the starting long snapper for the Gators dating back to 2022. Through Florida’s ninth contest in 2024, Underwood has tallied 71 snaps, nearing his total of 73 from 2023.
Underwood has contributed to a stellar special teams effort by the Gators this season, and his connections with Jeremy Crawshaw have led to an elite punting unit. Crawshaw ranks ninth in the nation in average yards per punt, and eighth in net punt yards. Underwood himself has logged three tackles on punt return attempts, establishing himself as one of the most versatile specialists in the country.
Prior to the 2024 season, Underwood was named to the Mannelly Award preseason watch list. Florida had previously had one athlete named to a Mannelly Award watch list, with Marco Ortiz selected prior to the 2022 campaign. Ortiz suffered an injury after the first game of the season, opening the door for Underwood.
2024 will be the sixth year of the Mannelly Award. The award, created in 2019, benefits Bernie’s Book Bank, a non-profit organization located in Lake Bluff, Illinois.
The list of ten semi-finalists announced Monday will be narrowed to three finalists announced on November 25, 2024. The winner selected at the live award ceremony in Lake Bluff on December 14, 2024. The complete list of nominees can be seen below.
2024 FLORIDA FOOTBALL TICKETS
Fans can still purchase single-game tickets for the remaining two home games against LSU and Ole Miss. To purchase, click here. For more information on football tickets, call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or fill out this form to be contacted by a ticket office representative. Fans can click here to join the 2025 Season Ticket Waiting List.
Ticketmaster.com is the only verified resale partner of the Florida Gators. Fans are urged to avoid purchasing tickets from unauthorized secondary ticketing sites or individuals they do not know. Click here for tips on how to verify tickets are from a legitimate source.
UF Release
Florida’s third-year starting long snapper has been recognized as one of the nation’s premier specialists.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gators long snapper Rocco Underwood has been selected as a 2024 Patrick Mannelly Award semifinalist, distinguishing him as one of the top long snappers in FBS.
The Lake Mary, Fla. Native has been the starting long snapper for the Gators dating back to 2022. Through Florida’s ninth contest in 2024, Underwood has tallied 71 snaps, nearing his total of 73 from 2023.
Underwood has contributed to a stellar special teams effort by the Gators this season, and his connections with Jeremy Crawshaw have led to an elite punting unit. Crawshaw ranks ninth in the nation in average yards per punt, and eighth in net punt yards. Underwood himself has logged three tackles on punt return attempts, establishing himself as one of the most versatile specialists in the country.
Prior to the 2024 season, Underwood was named to the Mannelly Award preseason watch list. Florida had previously had one athlete named to a Mannelly Award watch list, with Marco Ortiz selected prior to the 2022 campaign. Ortiz suffered an injury after the first game of the season, opening the door for Underwood.
2024 will be the sixth year of the Mannelly Award. The award, created in 2019, benefits Bernie’s Book Bank, a non-profit organization located in Lake Bluff, Illinois.
The list of ten semi-finalists announced Monday will be narrowed to three finalists announced on November 25, 2024. The winner selected at the live award ceremony in Lake Bluff on December 14, 2024. The complete list of nominees can be seen below.
| Name | School | |
| Austin Brinkman | West Virginia | |
| Beau Gardner | Georgia | |
| Ben Anderson | Oklahoma | |
| Ethan Hudak | Tulane | |
| Hunter Rogers | South Carolina | |
| Julian Ashby | Vanderbilt | |
| Kneeland Hibbett | Alabama | |
| Rocco Underwood | Florida | |
| Ryan Wintermeyer | San Diego State | |
| William Wagner | Michigan |
2024 FLORIDA FOOTBALL TICKETS
Fans can still purchase single-game tickets for the remaining two home games against LSU and Ole Miss. To purchase, click here. For more information on football tickets, call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or fill out this form to be contacted by a ticket office representative. Fans can click here to join the 2025 Season Ticket Waiting List.
Ticketmaster.com is the only verified resale partner of the Florida Gators. Fans are urged to avoid purchasing tickets from unauthorized secondary ticketing sites or individuals they do not know. Click here for tips on how to verify tickets are from a legitimate source.
UF Release
