Coach Zauner's Blog...: Turner Bernard #1 Rated High School Snapper

Turner Bernard Mountain Ridge High School Snapper

Attends Coach Zauner's May PRO Development Camp!
In July Ranked #1 Snapper In Country by Kohl's Kicking

Turner Bernard At Coach Zauner's 2015 May PRO Development Camp

First and foremost I would like to congratulate Turner Bernard, Mountain Ridge High School Senior Snapper for his #1 Ranking by Kohl's Kicking this summer. At the same time I would also like to extend my congrats to Ben Benard, Turner's father and snapping coach. Turner's success can be attributed to his hard work and his father passion and dedication to coaching snappers. Way to go guys!

My First Introduction To Ben Benard Arizona Elite Snapping Coach

Several years ago I had a phone conversation with Arizona Elite Long Snapping Coach Ben Bernard about one of his snappers, Jonathan Weeks (Baylor University). Jonathan was a frustrated and undersized snapper that was making his last attempt to fulfill his dream of becoming an NFL snapper. To make a long story short he qualify for my 2009 Free Agent Combine. He got the exposure he wanted and deserved in front of 26 NFL Teams and is now snapping with the Houston Texans.

Jonathan Weeks at Coach Zauner's 2009 Free Agent Combine

A year later I had another conversation about Nick Sundberg (Cal. Berkeley). After seeing Nick snap repeatedly for me at some of my One on One Punting Lessons I selected Nick to be my snapper when Denny Green hired me as his Special Teams Coordinator with the California Redwoods in the now de-funk UFL Football League. The following year Nick signed with the Panthers and was cut. Thee next year he signed with the Washington Redskins where he is currently snapping.

Coach Zauner & Nick Sundberg in The UFL Football League with California Redwoods

Ben's next referral was Kyle Nelson (New Mexico State). Kyle was an excellent college athlete and snapper that attended my 2011 College Senior Combine. I was very familiar with Kyle because he had repeatedly volunteered to snap at several of my PRO Development Camps and ONE on ONE Punting Lessons. Kyle was a hard working young man and a coaches son. He had brief stints with several NFL Teams but no full-time jobs. Kyle was on and off several NFL rosters for a couple of years and eventually came to me for some ONE on ONE Snapping Lessons.

Last year in the off season, Kyle's hard work paid dividends. He signed a Free Agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers and is currently their snapper.

Kyle Nelson at Coach Zauner 's 2011 College Senior Combine

A little over a year ago I received another call from Ben Benard asking me for a favor. Ben asked, "Coach, would you please come over to my camp and take a look at my son Turner and give me your evaluation and professional opinion of his snapping potential. I replied, "No Problem". Besides it will also give me a chance to match a face with a voice. Through the years Ben and I had talked a lot over the phone about several snappers but had never met.

Ben Bernard & Coach Zauner

Turner at that time was a high school sophomore at Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, Arizona.

When I walked in the gym Ben had Turner already warmed up. It took me only one snap to see that Ben's son was the real deal. As a high school sophomore he was already better than most high school seniors and many college snappers.

Ben had done an excellent job coaching and training Turner just like he has done with so many other young snappers.

Ben Bernard founder of Arizona Elite Long Snapping has a passion. His passion is coaching snappers. Any snapper that attends Ben's training sessions has to be dedicated and committed just like he is. Turner is one of Ben's prize prodigies.

Turner Bernard at Coach Zauner's 2015 May PRO Development Camp

In May of 2015 Ben brought Turner to my PRO Development Camp here in Fountain Hills, Arizona so Turner would have the opportunity to be coached by someone else besides himself.

Turner came to the three day camp and competed with several of the Nations top college snappers. As an elite high school snapper Turner held his own against the field. However, like most snappers he still needs to improve on his blocking technique.

I exposed Turner and Ben to Coach Zauner's snapping philosophy. As I do with all snappers I expose them to my drills and snapping progression. Ben sat in on each meeting, video session and practice. Turner was a sponge. He watched and listened and was a very coachable athlete.

Part of my continuing evaluation of all Specialists is: 1) Do They Listen, 2) Are They Coachable, 3) Do They Work Hard To Get Better and 4) How Do They Get Along With Other Athletes. Turner is at the top of his class!

Turner Bernard at 2015 May PRO Development Camp

Since the camp Ben and I have had several conversations this summer about Turner's future college plans. I have introduced Ben to my network of college head coaching friends and associates around the country. Turner's ability as an elite snapper will get him a lot of attention this fall.

Now, I just hope that whichever school Turner falls in love with, will reciprocate with a scholarship offer next year. He should have a lot of choices. I wish Turner the best of luck this season at Mountain Ridge High School and in the future.

I hope in four or five more years there will be a photo of Turner in an NFL Uniform!

Snappers Use Coach Bernard and Coach Zauner
To Achieve Their Goal of Playing In the NFL

NOTE: In the past couple of years Coach Bernard has sent me three of his top college prospects which are pictured above. Why? I believe we have a mutual respect for each others coaching ability. Also, Ben has told me that he likes my honesty, professionalism and "eye for snapping talent".

Coach Benard's Arizona Elite Snapping Program helps snappers earn College Scholarships while Coach Zauner's ONE on ONE Lessons, PRO Development Camps, College Senior and Free Agent Combines are getting snappers exposure to NFL Teams, signing contracts and making NFL rosters.