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Taylor Named Semifinalist for Patrick Mannelly Award
12/9/2020 12:32:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke long snapper John Taylor was named one of 10 semifinalists Wednesday for the 2020 Patrick Mannelly Award.
Taylor, a native of Snellville, Ga., has seen action in 34 career games and has played 192 snaps. The 6-2, 210-pound senior has been the primary short snapper for the Blue Devils the last three seasons and picked up long snapping duties in 2020 as well.
This year, Taylor has teamed up with redshirt freshmen punter Porter Wilson and kicker Charlie Ham, who were both named earlier this week semifinalists for the Ray Guy and Lou Groza Awards, respectively. Wilson has booted 48 punts for 2,072 yards, averaging 43.17 yards per punt, while Ham has converted 13-of-15 field goal attempts.
The award, named after former NFL long snapper and Duke football alumni Patrick Mannelly, is given to the top senior FBS long snapper. Presented by Bernie's Book Bank, the Mannelly Award is in its second season of existence as Notre Dame's John Shannon took home the inaugural honor.
Mannelly, who lettered four years for the Blue Devils from 1993-97, was widely known as being the best long snapper in the modern NFL era. During his time in Durham, Mannelly was a four-year starting long snapper, while also becoming a two-year starter on the offensive line. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft and became their career leader in games played at 245.
The three finalists will be announced Tuesday, December 22 and invited to participate in the virtual ceremony on Saturday, January 9, 2021.
The 2020 Patrick Mannelly Award Semifinalists (listed alphabetically)
Cal Adomitis Senior Pittsburgh
Adam Bay Senior Wisconsin
Turner Bernard Senior San Diego State
Thomas Fletcher Senior Alabama
Jacob Fuqua R-Senior UAB
Damon Johnson R-Senior USC
Logan Klusman Senior Kansas
Ryan Langan Senior Georgia Southern
Keegan Markgraf Senior Utah
John Taylor Senior Duke
#GoDuke
Taylor, a native of Snellville, Ga., has seen action in 34 career games and has played 192 snaps. The 6-2, 210-pound senior has been the primary short snapper for the Blue Devils the last three seasons and picked up long snapping duties in 2020 as well.
This year, Taylor has teamed up with redshirt freshmen punter Porter Wilson and kicker Charlie Ham, who were both named earlier this week semifinalists for the Ray Guy and Lou Groza Awards, respectively. Wilson has booted 48 punts for 2,072 yards, averaging 43.17 yards per punt, while Ham has converted 13-of-15 field goal attempts.
The award, named after former NFL long snapper and Duke football alumni Patrick Mannelly, is given to the top senior FBS long snapper. Presented by Bernie's Book Bank, the Mannelly Award is in its second season of existence as Notre Dame's John Shannon took home the inaugural honor.
Mannelly, who lettered four years for the Blue Devils from 1993-97, was widely known as being the best long snapper in the modern NFL era. During his time in Durham, Mannelly was a four-year starting long snapper, while also becoming a two-year starter on the offensive line. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft and became their career leader in games played at 245.
The three finalists will be announced Tuesday, December 22 and invited to participate in the virtual ceremony on Saturday, January 9, 2021.
The 2020 Patrick Mannelly Award Semifinalists (listed alphabetically)
Cal Adomitis Senior Pittsburgh
Adam Bay Senior Wisconsin
Turner Bernard Senior San Diego State
Thomas Fletcher Senior Alabama
Jacob Fuqua R-Senior UAB
Damon Johnson R-Senior USC
Logan Klusman Senior Kansas
Ryan Langan Senior Georgia Southern
Keegan Markgraf Senior Utah
John Taylor Senior Duke
#GoDuke
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