UB Long Snapper Byron Floyd has earned a spot on the Patrick Mannelly Award Watchlist for the best long snapper in FBS. 

Floyd transferred to Buffalo in January after a successful stint at Pitt where he started all 25 games the past two seasons. “Long snapping has given me opportunities I never thought I’d have”, says Floyd. “It’s also provided light to myself and my family through some really dark times back when I was in high school.”

In early March 2018, the spring before his Junior year in high school, Floyd was at a Rubio Long Snapping camp in North Carolina with is father and step mom. “I just remember my dad got a call from my mom, I knew something was up.” When Floyd got home he found out that his grandfather, Fenton, on his mom’s side had passed away suddenly. Floyd’s other grandfather, Ed, had been sick for months. He eventually passed as well. “This was the hardest thing I have ever gone through. My parents had me young and I saw my grandparents pretty much everyday. They took me to and from school and practice, it was just a really hard time.” A couple years later in 2020, Floyd lost another grandpa suddenly. “My Grandpa Mike basically taught me how to golf, I’m around a 7 handicap right now, I’m sure he’d love that.”

There isn’t a game day or happy moment that goes by where Floyd doesn’t think of his grandpas. “They meant the world to me, I just wish they could be here to see all this.” Somewhere deep down though, he knows they are. “In 2022, I recovered a fumble against Duke, I pointed up to the sky, I know they are with me. What long snapper recovers 2 fumbles in one season without a little help?” Floyd joked.    

Floyd sat behind future Patrick Mannelly Award winner and Cincinnati Bengal Cal Adomitis his first 2 seasons. Two years that he says were invaluable. “I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor, a better role model. Cal is an elite long snapper and an even better person, I’m not sure I’d be where I am today without seeing him do it first.” Says Floyd. “Cal was one of the first to text me when the watch list was released.”

On the field, Floyd has built quite the resume. His first season as the starter, Floyd had two fumble recoveries and snapped for a kicking unit that compiled 107 points, the third-highest single-season kick scoring total in Pitt history. In his second season, he recorded 3 tackles and was named PFF Midseason All-American, grading out as the best snapper in FBS through the first 6 games. “I try really hard to go unnoticed, as a long snapper, the only time people usually talk about you is when you screw up.”

Off the field, Floyd wants to be noticed. In Pittsburgh, Floyd was able to raise $12,700 for UPMC Children’s Hospital. “I’m really grateful for everyone who supported me in making a difference.” Floyd is big on getting out and visiting the kids as well. “Raising money is great but making a difference in kids lives in person is a big deal to me. They won’t see the money we bring in, but they see me when I visit and anything I can do to put a smile on their face is big.” 

You can check out his new initiative in Buffalo at Snapper49.com.

With a fresh start at UB, Floyd hopes to build on his resume under new head coach and special teams guru Pete Lembo. “It’s been a crazy ride since I decided to transfer back in December. A few weeks after I signed, there was a new staff.” Floyd said he’d be lying if he wasn’t a little nervous when things changed. “I didn’t know what to expect when the previous coaches left, they recruited me. Somehow though, everything worked out great. I’m getting great coaching that I know will take my game to new heights. I mean, Coach dialed up a TD to his long snapper last year at South Carolina, what’s not to love?”

Floyd says he has improved every season and he’s just honored to be mentioned on the Mannelly Award watchlist. “It’s a real honor and a big deal to be noticed by those guys. When it comes to long snappers there’s no one better. I’m just working hard to go out there and do what I can to help our team win. I’m really excited to be a part of this new era in UB football.”

Floyd credits his faith, his family and his wife Carmen for getting him through those turbulent times. Looking back though, he's not sure where he'd be without Long Snapping. "It's crazy how life comes full circle. All of my grandfathers helped shape me into the man I've become. My Papa Floyd was a long snapper and taught my dad who eventually taught me on the same patch of grass where he learned. It means a lot knowing that a skill my grandfather passed down has done such amazing things for myself, my family, and the community." 

 
One things for sure, all of his his grandfathers above, will be rooting him on.