This Boise State specialist has been putting his skills on display ahead of NFL Draft
What began as a backup plan for former Boise State long snapper Daniel Cantrell has evolved into a potential career path.
Growing up in Idaho, his dream was to play linebacker at Boise State. He was one of the best linebackers in the state at Boise’s Bishop Kelly High School, where he was named 4A Southern Idaho Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
He never got that dream, but he might live another.
Cantrell was the Broncos’ primary long snapper on punts and field goals from 2018 through last season. His father, Mark, had him snapping balls at targets in the backyard of their home near Lucky Peak when he was just 9 years old — just in case.
It paid off.
“I told him it was something good to add to his skill set to provide some often-needed versatility,” said Mark Cantrell, who spent his high school career as a defensive tackle and long snapper. “Where he took it was up to him.”
Where Cantrell hopes it takes him now is the NFL. He is one of seven former Boise State players to have declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, which will take place April 28-30 in Las Vegas.
“Everybody dreams about the NFL,” Cantrell said. “It’ll be a blessing if it happens. I’ll take any opportunity to keep playing football for as long as I can.”
Cantrell plans to stay in Boise and train with Boise State’s strength staff in preparation for the Broncos’ Pro Day, which is scheduled for March 30. He has hired an agent, Ross Jones of Leverage Football, who also represents former Boise State offensive lineman John Molchon, who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cantrell said he reached out to Molchon and Indianapolis Colts long snapper Luke Rhodes for advice on pursuing a professional playing career.
“They told me you have to go out and get in front of as many people as you can,” Cantrell said. “It’s about taking advantage of every opportunity to show what you can do.”
He took that advice to heart and put his skills on display at two all-star events last month in Florida.
The 6-foot, 241-pound Boise native worked out in front of scouts at a camp sponsored by Special Teams U. He also competed in the annual Tropical Bowl in Orlando, Florida, where a scene familiar to Boise State fans unfolded in Camping World Stadium. He delivered the snap on the National Team’s first punt of the game and raced down the field to make a tackle.
“That just got me even more fired up to work,” Cantrell said. “It was a fun week, and it was nice to compete against some of the best players in the country and get feedback from great coaches.”
NFL Draft and free agency
Cantrell knows his chances of getting drafted as a long snapper aren’t great, but the former walk-on, who was put on scholarship at Boise State in 2017, is used to overcoming steep odds.
He also knows that if he can land a spot on an NFL roster via free agency after the draft, he has a chance to have a long and prosperous career.
“My body hasn’t taken a lot of punishment over the years,” said Cantrell, who graduated last spring with a degree in supply chain management and began work toward a master’s of business administration in the fall. “I still have a lot of years ahead of me to play the game I love.”
Cantrell’s dream of running out of the tunnel in Albertsons Stadium as one of Boise State’s starting linebackers may not have come true, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t make some meaningful plays during his career. He was credited with 13 career tackles, most of which were recorded on punt returns.
Cantrell posted nine tackles in 2019, including what he called the most memorable of his career. That came during Boise State’s loss to Washington and former Broncos coach Chris Petersen in the 2019 Las Vegas Bowl. It was Petersen’s final game before retirement.
“Coach Petersen said after the game that they were trying to scheme me out of the play and have somebody block me,” Cantrell said. “It’s not every day that a team commits to blocking a long snapper.”
Long snapper isn’t a position that comes with much glory. The textbook snap isn’t likely to elicit a roar from the crowd, no matter how important it is. In fact, much like offensive linemen, long snappers usually end up in the spotlight only when a snap sails over the head of the punter or holder, Cantrell said.
“If you want credit, it’s not a position you want to get into,” he said. “But if you want to be vital to the team and put in some purposeful work, it’s a great position.”
Vital to the team is exactly how former Boise State special teams coordinator Stacy Collins described Cantrell.
“Daniel is the ultimate blue-collar player,” said Collins, who left in January to coach edge rushers and special teams at Penn State. “He comes to work every day and competes with no complaints. He puts in the time and loves what he does, and it shows on the field.”
Who is next?
After Cantrell appeared in 45 games for Boise State, the Broncos will begin the search for his replacement when spring practice begins on March 4.
Cantrell threw his support behind redshirt freshman Mason Hutton, a 6-foot-6, 217-pound native of Riverside, California, who joined the Broncos as a walk-on last year. He didn’t appear in any games.
“He’s lights out with his snaps,” Cantrell said. “He’s going to get faster and he’ll be able to make some tackles and plays down the field. (Boise State) is in good hands with him.”
Broncos prepping for the NFL Draft
WR Khalil Shakir
OL Jake Stetz
WR CT Thomas
WR Octavius Evans
RB Cyrus Habibi-Likio
LS Daniel Cantrell
DB Kekaula Kaniho
This story was originally published February 25, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
