Mountaineers in the Pros
WVU’s Austin Brinkman Explains Why He’s Ready for NFL

Austin Brinkman knows being a long snapper isn’t the most glamorous position on the field, but he’s also fully invested in it being his ticket to the NFL.
WV Sports Now spoke with Brinkman at the Senior Bowl about what the process has been like for him and how he judges himself against his competition.
Since a long snapper doesn’t have the benefit of statistics, Brinkman explained how he evaluates himself.
“It’s honestly a lot of film study and watching the guys that are in the league already, and seeing what they do and kinda watching to see how you can emulate what they do,” said Brinkman.
All Brinkman wants is an opportunity. From there, he has confidence in himself.
“Just that I can do the job. A lot of times West Virginia guys can get overlooked. It’s great to be able to represent the university and the state, but just being able to show that I belong and I can do it just as well as anybody else is what I’m trying to show.”
And unlike most long snappers, Brinkman has an elder from his school in Rex Sunahara to look up to. Brinkman acknowledged that it’s nice to know someone made it to the NFL doing the same thing he does from West Virginia. He said he doesn’t like to both Sunahara too much, but they do try to keep in touch.
Below is how Brinkman checked in measurement wise at the premiere NFL Draft event:
Position: LS
Height: 6-Foot-3
Weight: 242 pounds
Hand: 9 4/8
Arm: 30 4/8
Wing: 74 3/8
The Bel Air, Md. native served as the long snapper for WVU punts, field goals and extra point attempts. Brinkman played in 43 consecutive games, earned three Academic All-Big 12 honors and was a 2024 Iron Mountaineer recipient.

Austin Brinkman from WVU at Virginia Tech on Sept. 22, 2022. (Mitchell Northam / WV Sports Now)
Brinkman was a semifinalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award. He even detailed his full journey and how he discovered success as a long snapper while speaking with the media in November.
Find more coverage of Austin Brinkman at WV Sports Now.
For a related story, Wyatt Milum details the adjustment to trying guard for NFL teams.