The 2025 Biletnikoff Award, which annually recognizes the outstanding receiver in college football, went to USC junior Makai Lemon, the first-round selection for the Eagles in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The 2025 John Mackey Award, which annually recognizes the outstanding tight end in college football, went to Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers, the second-round selection for the Eagles in the 2026 NFL Draft.

But did you know ...

There is also an award for the best long snapper in college football, and the Eagles signed the one who won the 2024 Patrick Mannelly Award, Florida's Rocco Underwood, following the seven-round 2026 NFL Draft.

This is no small move for the Eagles and Special Teams Coordinator Michael Clay, who understands the value of the long snapper, a position the Eagles have had great success with this century. Think about Mike Bartrum, Jon Dorenbos, Rick Lovato. Since the 2000 season, those three handled the position at the highest level – Bartrum from 2000-06, Dorenbos from 2006-16, and Lovato from 2017-24 – and, not so coincidentally, the Eagles have had a strong punt and field goal game.

Now the page turns to Underwood, a 6-foot-3, 231-pounder whom Clay sees growing every day in the team's offseason program.

"He's jelled really well with the veteran guys. Athletic individual," Clay said. "It's nice (that) he played under (Florida Gators Sr. Special Teams Analyst) Joe Houston, who had coached in the NFL. He knows the rigors of the NFL probably from talking to Joe, but he's doing a really good job. Obviously, once the pads come on, he gets an actual real rush, but he's taking it stride for stride, and he and (Special Teams Assistant) Tyler Brown meet every day. I'm in there poking fun at him still. I'll rush him a couple times, (but) he's going to get rushed by a far better athlete in game situations.

"I think he's doing a really good job of, one, jelling with the veterans, getting familiar with them, then coming into work every day and trying to get better each and every day."

The "operation" – the kicking game with the long snapper, punter, and placekicker – searches for stability and consistency, and it was a priority for the Eagles to address in the offseason. They re-signed punter Braden Mann, one of the best in the NFL and in franchise history. They then turned their attention to long snapper and focused on Underwood, for whom they have high expectations.

"It's always a great challenge to have a younger guy, and hopefully the young guy takes the reins and he's able to stay here for a long period of time," Clay said. "I've been fortunate enough to coach Rick Lovato and being around Jon Dorenbos, two guys that have been stalwarts here in Philadelphia for so long. We're going to push Rocco to exceed those expectations, but we're going to take it day by day. Obviously, you don't want to pigeonhole anybody on this roster. We're just trying to get day by day greatness out of Rocco and elevate his game even more than it is."

We're still in May, remember. Nothing on special teams is live until the preseason. Clay wants more from his group in 2026 – a more dynamic return game, Jake Elliott at the top of his kicking excellence, great coverage starting at the gunners all the way to the inside guys making plays.

Of the three phases on an NFL team, special teams is the last to come together as Clay adjusts with the players who make the 53-man roster. But he is pleased with what he's seen from the rookie with a lot on his shoulders and the retention of Mann, whose praises Clay sings.

"I could talk about Braden for days on end. First of all, very, very happy that he's back. He's earned every right to have that opportunity to be in that contractual obligation. But to have Braden back, a little bit of continuity with him, Jake, and having a new long snapper is always great, but Braden's earned everything he's worked for.

"Obviously, being a drafted punter, there's always a spotlight on you. You have to perform because somebody per se 'wasted' a draft pick on a specialist. But coming out of college, Braden was that guy out of Texas A&M. And him being able to come back after being cut from the Jets, spending a camp with Pittsburgh, then coming in, I believe it was Week 3 in '23 and do nothing but excel and help this team out, I think is just kudos to him."