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Michigan State long snapper Michael Donovan transferring to Miami (Fla.)

On3 imageby: Jim Comparoni12/31/22JimComparoni
On3 image

East Lansing, Mich. – Second-string long snapper Michael Donovan, who became a primary source of concern for Michigan State in 2022, announced via social media on Saturday that he is transferring to Miami (Fla.), presumably as a walk-on. 

Donovan was thrust into duty as the starting long snapper for Michigan State in 2022, and struggled. He replaced starter Hank Pepper, who played in five game before being lost for the season to an undisclosed injury. 

Pepper is expected to be back for Michigan State in 2023. In the meantime, Michigan State is searching the portal and high schools for help in the back-up long snapper role. When healthy, Pepper is regarded as one of the best long snappers in the country.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Donovan played the last seven games of the year. He was Academic All-Big Ten.

Donovan’s snaps became problematic during his first start, against Wisconsin on Oct. 15. A fast field goal attempt in the final seconds of the game against the Badgers resulted in a low, slow, dribbled snap which holder Bryce Baringer was never able to get set for kicker Ben Patton, resulted in a botched pass attempt and eventual overtime. 

Donovan’s long snapping a week later at Michigan continued to be a problem. The slow velocity of his snaps created a concern for blocked punts. He attempted to add velocity, but the results were not good. Baringer had to leap to snag extremely high snaps, and then in the fourth quarter, with Michigan State trying to hang in the game at 22-7, a Donovan snap sailed over Baringer’s head, resulting in an 8-yard touchdown drive for Michigan.

Donovan’s snaps improved a week later in a 23-15 upset victory at No. 16 illinois. That begged the question as to why Donovan’s struggles as a back-up snapper weren’t flagged earlier in the season or during August camp, and how improvement over a six-day period following the Michigan game couldn’t have been administered earlier in the year. 

By the end of the season, Donovan’s velocity remained mediocre but snapping problems as a whole became less of a problem.

In the final game of the regular season, walk-on Sam Edwards, a third-string linebacker, served as a short snapper for field goals.

Donovan, of Birmingham Seaholm High School, will be a redshirt sophomore in 2023. 

Donovan came to Michigan State ranked the No. 1 high school long snapper by Rubio Long Snapping in 2020. Rubio ranked Donovan the No. 39 long snapper in the nation.

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