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.

College Senior Combine Produces Exposure & Results For Snappers

Free Agent Snappers Get Exposure To NFL Teams and Sign Contracts 

Joe Cardona (Navy) N.E. Patriots Attends 2014 PRO Development Camp

ONE on ONE Snapping Lessons Help Snappers Refine Their Snapping & Blocking Technique

Coach Zauner's Arizona High School Camps

Coach Zauner's Programs:

"A Specialist's Path To PRO Football"

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Army vs Navy Game

Jeremy Jonas - West Point Military Academy

On Saturday I received an email from Jeremy Jonas who at the present time is deployed in Afghanistan.  

I first met Jeremy in the spring of 2012 when he visited for a One on One Snapping Lesson looking to qualify for my Free Agent Specialist's Kicking Combine.   At 6' 6 260 pounds Jeremy definitely had the size NFL teams want but lacked the snapping consistency. 

Jeremy Jonas Snaps Perfect Laces at 2012 Free Agent Combine

While serving for his country Jeremy also worked on refining his snapping skills, trying to qualify for the Free Agent Combine.  When Jeremy came back for the Combine he had definitely improved.  

Jeremy Jonas Snaps and Blocks at 2012 Free Agent Combine

About a month after the Free Agent Combine, Jeremy was deployed to Afghanistan and is there defending our country and training others to defend theirs. 

My thoughts and prayers are with Jeremy as he serves and defends our country in a foreign land. Just wanted to share a short email from Jeremy and his thoughts with you:

Jeremy Jonas with Afghan Uniform Police

Coach Zauner,

Today marks the 113th matchup between one of America’s most storied college football rivalries.  Army vs Navy.  With that, football is once again foremost in my mind.  I’m sure you will enjoy this photo taken to commemorate today's game as I watch it for the first time as a deployed soldier.  It’s truly amazing to finally see firsthand the impact of the game on soldiers and morale on this tiny FOB here in Afghanistan.  As it stands, we have less than 75 days until we return back stateside.  Since we landed here in June, our sole purpose has been to train and mentor the Afghan Uniform Police, improving them technically and tactically.  As with all things, the mission has had highs and lows but there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.  I look forward to returning home and sharing my experiences here in Afghanistan with you.  I have been able to continue working out in prep for the upcoming 2013 combine.  My return date is scheduled for February 22nd, and sometime following I would like to visit for a one on one lesson prior to the combine to fine tune some things.  Please let me know if anything is available.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,

1LT Jeremy Jonas

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Army Committment vs NFL Career

Jeremy Jonas (U.S. Army) After One on One Snapping Evaluation

For some of my athletes, Sunday was a day dedicated to rest, and as much as part of me would've loved to join in the relaxation. I had work to do. I was meeting with a young man by the name of Jeremy Jonas. I knew a thing or two about him prior to our first evaluation session together. I knew he was an incredibly efficient long snapper. I knew he was 25 years young and he probably took a lot of heat for having the same last name as a trio of Disney singers.

What I didn't know is that I would learn as much from as he would from me.


Jeremy is a Midwest boy, born and raised in a small suburb of Ohio. His long snapping career (no pun intended) began in middle school, and after his years of playing at an elite level, he was offered a handful of Division 1 scholarships. Upon high school graduation, Jeremy made a choice that would not only impact the next four years, but change his entire life.


Jeremy opted to attend the United States Military Academy.


There are few people that willingly put themselves in a situation that inevitably brings upon the biggest challenge they will ever face, but Jeremy did just that.


He could have chosen a school that required only passing grades to remain on the team. He could’ve chosen a school without strict rules and a notoriously challenging curriculum—a school that didn't require a multiple-year commitment to serve in a war overseas. Sure, it would have been easier. But, that’s not how Jeremy Jonas is built.


If you ever ask him what the catalyst was behind his decision he admits, “I know it sounds really cliché, believe me. But, I felt honored and proud to have the opportunity to serve for my country.” I could hear it a thousand times but never believe it as much as when he said it.


Jeremy’s opportunity to serve came in the summer of 2011 when he was deployed to Iraq. His two years of active duty came after two seasons of football as the long snapper for the Army’s football team. Two very impressive seasons.


During his tenure with the Army, Jeremy made it a point to do the exact opposite of what most 20-year old sports stars kill for—to stay out of the spotlight. Perhaps wisely so.

Jeremy's view and perspective as a snapper is a little upside down

Kickers, punters and snappers aren’t typically considered very “glamorous” positions. In all honesty, often the only attention afforded to specialists is in the form of vindication. Jeremy figured that as a snapper keeping a low-profile meant you were doing your job and doing it well. Jeremy kept a low-profile 74 out of 74 times in his 2008 season with Army. 

After putting together such an impressive season, Jeremy garnered a different kind of attention, the good kind. Not only were college coaches and teams noticing him, but NFL personnel began raising their eyebrows.

Wouldn’t be the first time…

When he was younger, Jeremy was afforded the opportunity to work with Brad St. Louis, who at the time was the long snapper for Cincinnati.

“I remember snapping a couple times for him and he complimented me on my form. He told me to go after it”.  

At the time, Brad was a veteran in the league. He played week in and week out against the strongest, fastest athletes in the country...and he saw something in Jeremy.

Wouldn’t be the last time…

In 2005, while Jeremy was attending a kicking camp in Kentucky, Ray Guy, Oakland Raiders (arguably the greatest punter of all-time) called him up on stage. Out of all the prospective athletes in attendance, Ray chose him to demonstrate proper technique.

Jeremy’s gift was always evident—even to the best of the best. 

Jeremy works Long Snapping Technique with Drew Butler (U. of Georgia)

In 2009, Jeremy was forced to make yet another difficult decision about his future. He decided to forgo his senior football season in order to graduate with his peers as a Field Artillery Officer.  Following graduation, he attended Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and shortly thereafter was stationed at Fort Bliss, TX.

Jeremy Jonas in Iraq - Gave Up a Football for a Gun

In the summer of 2011, he was deployed to Mosul, Iraq.


'I cannot articulate what the experience in Iraq has done for me as a person and how it changed every aspect of my life for the better."


Almost two years have passed since Jeremy made the choice to honor his commitment to the military and relinquish one more season of football. His passion and dedication to being a member of the United States Military is glaringly apparent and he is undoubtedly prepared to spend a lifetime serving his country. But, he may have some unfinished business.


We've experienced it; that little voice in your head that just never seems to go away. that voice (perhaps Ray's or Brad's) in Jeremy's head urging him to give football one last shot. One last REAL shot. 


"I'd like to be afforded this opportunity. I want to give it 100%. I want to do everything I can to become the best I can be and see where it can take me…I'd regret it if I didn't."

Jeremy Jonas Works Perfect Laces Drill With Drew Butler

Over the years, athletes have come to me at pivotal points in their lives for a myriad of reasons. In speaking with Jeremy, I came to realize he has never actually had specialized, personalized training to help develop his technique and polish his skills. He sought me out because he believed I could help put him in the best position to silence that relentless knocking on the door and discover whether or not he has what it takes to play at the next level. 


Regardless of what lies ahead for Jeremy on the football field, I feel lucky to have had the chance to meet a young man with such a high caliber of character and class. My goal as a kicking coach and mentor is always to inspire the athletes I work with, and I truly believe the story of Jeremy Jonas is worthy of sharing. I look forward to continuing to work with him and wish him nothing but the very best in all of his future endeavors. 


Jeremy is working hard to get in football shape to attend my Free Agent Specialist's Combine, March 20, 2012. 

Jeremy Jones and Coach Zauner After a Long Snapping Evaluation in Phoenix, Arizona

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