Jeff Overbaugh Signs With Rams
- Updated: June 14, 2016
Jeff Overbaugh, an Anchorage, Alaska native, made his NFL dreams come true when he signed with the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. As a long snapper, Overbaugh’s presence won’t have a direct impact on the team’s NFL odds this season, but it is still a feel good story for a young man that not too many people thought would ever but on an NFL uniform.
Overbaugh, who graduated from Service High School in Anchorage, still has a long way to go before he will get an opportunity to play on Sundays. But being able to sign his first NFL contract is a big step.
Overbaugh told reporters that signing his first NFL contract was very exciting, but he was also quick to point out that it only means that he is on the 90 man roster, which doesn’t guarantee a spot on the final roster. He will be with the team through training camp, and will get an opportunity to show the training staff what he can do.
In College, Overbaugh played for San Diego State, and he was the team’s long snapper for four seasons. While he was in college, Overbaugh didn’t miss a snap and set up 353 field goals, PATs and punts.
According to reports, Overbaugh was invited to join the Rams at Oxnard, California for organized team activities (OTAs) in May and June. The next step is a three-day minicamp that starts on Tuesday.
An excited Overbaugh tried to explain to his fans that the team was in Oxnard, which is also where the Dallas Cowboys to a portion of their training camps, which is something he expected fans who had watched the HBO show ‘Hard Knocks’ to know.
Despite being invited to training camp, Overbaugh won’t earn his rookie salary unless he makes the final 53 man roster at the end of the preseason. However, the Rams are taking care of his daily expenses while he is at training camp. His transportation and food are all taken care of by the team, and he also receives a stipend from the team.
Overbaugh has a tough task ahead to make the team because the team already has veteran Jake McQuaide handling long snapping duties. McQuaide, a former Ohio State Buckeye, has been with the Rams for the last five seasons.
Since the Rams are going to keep only one long snapper on the roster, McQuaide and Overbaugh will be fighting for the position. Despite the fact that they will be competing against each other, McQuaide has been very supportive of Overbaugh, and has been helping him learn the ropes in training camp.
When asked about McQuaide, Overbaugh called him a very great guy and very personable. Overbaugh also admitted that McQuaide has been showing him a lot of stuff since he got to camp. Overbaugh has appreciated McQuaide’s help so much that he said he couldn’t ask for a better mentor.
As the fall gets closer, the pressure will gradually increase for the 90 men trying to make the final cut of 53 before the start of the season, but Overbaugh said he is just going to try to enjoy his time with the team.
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