Notre Dame long snapper Michael Vinson invited to Indianapolis Colts rookie minicamp
After 51 starts and zero botched snaps or blocked kicks, former Notre Dame long snapper Michael Vinson will get his shot in the NFL. Vinson was invited to the Indianapolis Colts’ rookie minicamp on Saturday evening.
Vinson started every game for the Irish over the past four seasons, earning Patrick Mannelly Award semifinalist honors twice and becoming a first-team American Football Coaches Association All-American in 2022. He was named a team captain for the Sun Bowl against Oregon State, his final game in a blue and gold uniform.
Vinson also made two tackles (one solo) on Notre Dame’s punt team in this past season.
After entering South Bend as a walk-on from Winnetka (Ill.) New Trier, Vinson earned the first-team long snapper job in 2020 after three-year starter John Shannon graduated. His road to get there wasn’t always easy, though.
One Notre Dame coach told Vinson shortly after spring practice ended in 2019 that he was never going to play or earn a scholarship for the Irish and should transfer. After leaving the meeting, Vinson called his dad, Scott, and decided to prove the coach wrong.
“[My dad] said, ‘Your goal with football was to get into the best school possible, and you did it. And if you leave without a degree, all that was for nothing,’” Vinson said in August 2023. “And what he also said was, ‘Don’t let anyone dictate what you get out of your experiences.’ For me, it was I knew that [the starting long snapper] spot was mine. So go get it.’”
Vinson went and got it, beating out Alex Peitsch — who entered South Bend on scholarship and was the No. 1-rated long snapper in the country at the time — in 2020. He didn’t let the job go, as Peitsch wound up transferring and Vinson earned one of Notre Dame’s 85 scholarships in December 2021.
After three years as the starter, Vinson chose to return for his sixth season and use his “COVID year” of eligibility.
“Notre Dame is a special place,” Vinson said in a statement on social media when he decided to come back. “The brotherhood we have here is something that I will cherish forever. The relationships that I have made here with coaches and players are something I will never take for granted and will forever be grateful for. I love this place with all of my heart and with that being said I look forward to returning to Notre Dame for my 6th year. I am extremely grateful to be surrounded by the best teammates and staff in the country for one last season.”
Vinson will look to become the third Notre Dame long snapper on a regular-season NFL roster, following Scott Daly (Lions) and J.J. Jansen (Panthers).
