When Dan Godsil first began to learn long snapping, he and his father would often have to go to a warehouse to avoid the cold and snow of Ohio.
Now, he will leave the midwest winters, and will likely never have to worry about snow getting in the way of his practice schedule again.
In the hours following the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft, former IU long snapper Dan Godsil signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"Signing that contract was a really cool feeling," Godsil said. "It’s one of those childhood dreams that you’re actually living it now. That was just an amazing feeling."
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Godsil had been in touch with the Buccaneers since his Pro Day in Bloomington. Buccaneers Special Teams Coach Keith Armstrong came to IU to watch Godsil work out. Though Godsil never visited the team in Tampa Bay.
Heading into the draft, Godsil and his family had a list of teams that appeared to be possible landing spots. Tampa Bay was one of them. Godsil went unselected in the Draft, but didn't have to wait long to find a home.
“It was basically right after the draft ended, I knew where I wanted to go," Godsil said. "It happened really quick.”
Godsil figures to have a good chance to make the Buccaneers' roster. Greg Auman of The Athletic tweeted that Tampa Bay didn't bring back its long snapper from last season, and the only long snapper currently on the roster has never snapped in a game before.
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"I had an idea that Tampa would be my best shot," Godsil said.
Godsil is one of two special teams rookies heading to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers drafted former University of Utah kicker Matt Gay in the fifth round of the Draft. Gay won the 2017 Lou Groza award, given to the best collegiate kicker in the nation.
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Related: ‘This is just the start’: Dan Godsil didn’t start long snapping until his senior year of high school, now he’s off to the NFL
