Oklahoma football has always taken pride in producing players who excel in the spotlight, but it’s not always the quarterbacks, wide receivers, or defensive stars who command attention. This year, the Sooners are celebrating a player from one of the game’s most overlooked but vital positions: long snapper. Ben Anderson, Oklahoma’s reliable specialist, has earned a spot on a prestigious preseason watch list, signaling national recognition for his precision, consistency, and impact on the field. For Anderson, this honor is more than just an individual accolade—it’s a testament to years of dedication to a craft that only draws notice when something goes wrong. In the often thankless role of long snapper, perfection is the standard, and Anderson has been delivering it snap after snap. His recognition puts a spotlight on the importance of special teams in the Sooners’ pursuit of greatness and shows how vital every role is in building a championship-caliber squad.
The path to this moment for Anderson has been one of steady development, quiet hard work, and total commitment to the team. Special teams are often called “the hidden third” of football, but for those in the know, they’re the foundation of game-changing moments. A perfect snap on a punt can mean flipping field position, and a perfect snap on a field goal can be the difference between victory and defeat. Anderson has built a reputation for delivering those snaps with mechanical precision, giving punters and kickers the confidence to focus on their own jobs without hesitation. For Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and special teams coordinator Jay Nunez, Anderson’s presence has been a steadying force, allowing the Sooners to operate at a high level in one of the sport’s most pressure-filled moments.
Earning a spot on a preseason watch list for specialists might not draw the same headlines as a Heisman or Maxwell Award mention, but in football circles, it speaks volumes. It means national evaluators have taken note of your consistency, athleticism, and execution. For Anderson, it’s validation of the long hours of film study, weight room sessions, and repetition after repetition on the practice field. It’s also recognition that he’s among the best at his position in the country, and that when Oklahoma takes the field this fall, they have a specialist who can match up against anyone in college football.
Anderson’s value to the Sooners extends far beyond just snapping the ball. Long snappers have to be athletes, too—covering punts downfield, picking up rushers, and in some cases even making tackles. That combination of precision and physicality is rare, and Anderson embodies it. He’s also a leader in the locker room, a player who commands respect not through flashy plays or trash talk, but through reliability and excellence. Teammates know that when the pressure is on, Anderson is going to do his job. That kind of trust is invaluable in a sport where one mistake in execution can unravel an entire game plan.
In many ways, this honor for Anderson is also a reflection of the evolution of Oklahoma’s special teams unit. Over the past few seasons, the Sooners have worked hard to re-establish themselves as one of the nation’s most well-rounded programs. Special teams, once a question mark, are now a strength. Having a long snapper like Anderson is a big reason for that. His chemistry with the team’s punter and kicker ensures that execution on punts, field goals, and extra points is smooth, minimizing risks and maximizing scoring opportunities. In a sport where games can be decided by a single point or a single possession, that consistency is a competitive advantage.
Oklahoma fans might not chant Anderson’s name every Saturday, but they feel his impact every time the special teams unit takes the field. A 45-yard field goal sailing straight through the uprights? That starts with a perfect snap. A booming punt that pins the opponent inside their own 10-yard line? Again, it starts with Anderson. Those contributions might fly under the radar, but they’re as essential to winning as a touchdown pass or a goal-line stand.
Being named to this watch list also puts Anderson in position for postseason honors, something that could open the door for professional opportunities down the line. NFL teams value specialists who have proven they can perform under pressure, and Anderson’s track record at Oklahoma suggests he could transition seamlessly to the next level. The margin for error in the NFL is even smaller than in college, and long snappers who can operate without mistakes for years are highly sought after. Whether or not Anderson chooses to pursue that path, his current recognition is a sign that he’s already competing at a level that garners professional respect.
The 2025 season will bring plenty of challenges for the Sooners as they navigate a loaded schedule and aim to reassert themselves among college football’s elite. In that journey, every player’s role will matter, and Anderson’s role will be critical in those close, high-stakes moments that define seasons. When the game is on the line and the special teams unit trots out, Oklahoma will be relying on Anderson to deliver the same pinpoint accuracy that earned him this preseason honor. In a game that demands total focus, he’s proven time and again that he can handle the spotlight, even if it’s not the kind that comes with roaring applause.
Anderson’s story is also a reminder to young athletes that excellence isn’t reserved for the most glamorous positions. Football is a sport that rewards those who master their role, no matter how niche it may be. For high school players dreaming of college careers, Anderson’s success demonstrates that specialists can make a real impact, earn national recognition, and be integral to a team’s success. In a sport where the margin between winning and losing can be razor-thin, the difference-makers are often the ones who never make the highlight reel but always make the play work.
As the Sooners prepare for kickoff this fall, Anderson will continue to approach his job the same way he always has—with focus, discipline, and a commitment to perfection. The watch list honor is just one step in what he hopes will be a season full of success for the entire Oklahoma program. And while the spotlight may not shine directly on him, Anderson’s presence will be felt every time a play starts clean, every time a kicker or punter executes with confidence, and every time the Sooners win the field position battle. In football, those details add up to wins, and Anderson has mastered the art of delivering them.
This season, Oklahoma fans will have their eyes on the big plays—the long touchdown passes, the game-changing interceptions, the electrifying runs. But those who understand the game will also be keeping an eye on No. \_\_, the long snapper quietly doing his job with unmatched consistency. Because while it’s easy to overlook the snap, it’s impossible to win without it. Ben Anderson knows that better than anyone, and this preseason recognition is proof that the rest of the football world knows it, too.
If the Sooners find themselves in a tight battle late in the season, with the score close and the clock ticking, it’s not hard to imagine Anderson’s role being crucial in sealing a win. Whether it’s snapping for a game-winning field goal or helping flip the field with a perfectly executed punt, he’ll be at the center of the action, even if few people notice in the moment. That’s the beauty and the burden of his position—when you’re perfect, nobody talks about you; when you make a mistake, everyone does. Anderson has built a career on avoiding the latter, and this watch list nod is recognition that he’s one of the best in the country at doing so.
For Oklahoma, having a player like Anderson means peace of mind in situations where chaos often reigns. For Anderson, it means another chance to prove that his work is worth celebrating, even if the scoreboard doesn’t list his name. This preseason honor may be a quiet one in the grand scheme of college football news, but it’s a loud statement about the value of preparation, precision, and pride in one’s craft. And when the Sooners take the field this year, they’ll know that one of their most important weapons is the guy who makes sure the play starts flawlessly—Ben Anderson, the Sooner sniper, whose aim is always true.
