Standing at 6-foot-6, senior Matt Bayliss is the tallest deep snapper in the Football Bowl Subdivision. UTSA Assistant Athletics Communications Director Tony Baldwin recently caught up with Bayliss to discuss the team's hot start and the life of a specialist.
Baldwin: UTSA is off to a 3-0 start this season. How would you describe the overall spirit surrounding this team right now?
Bayliss: We feel pretty good. We know we haven't accomplished all that we want to yet. The 3-0 start feels good, but we want to keep it going, and I think we are very focused right now.
Baldwin: Can you describe the feeling of running out in front of UTSA fans at the Alamodome?
Bayliss: It's an amazing feeling. There's a rush you get, especially with the new introduction. Our fans are amazing. I think our fanbase really helps push this program forward.
Baldwin: How would you describe your duties as a deep snapper?
Bayliss: It's a position that doesn't get a lot of attention. You have to really perfect it, because it is something you have to be really good at and can't mess up. Hopefully, no one notices me. It's how I live my football life.
Baldwin: What is your practice routine?
Bayliss: We get out on the practice field about 45 minutes before everyone else to get warmed up. We snap for the first 20-25 minutes of practice. We snap to the kickers and punters. Our positions require a lot of mental focus. We work a lot of being ready for that.
Baldwin: How did you become a deep snapper?
Bayliss: I was shorter back in the day, if you can imagine that. In middle school, I was a center and I played a little offensive tackle. I was snapping as a center and they needed someone to snap for field goals, so I tried it out. I was pretty good at it. I got to high school and kept doing it. I realized it was something that could get me to college. The rest is history.
Baldwin: There is a deep snapper at USC, Jake Olson, who is legally blind. He recently was given a chance to snap in a game. As someone who understands the position and what it takes to perform at a high level, what are your thoughts on his accomplishments?
Bayliss: It's incredible. Jake is an inspiration to everyone. What I admire the most out of him is that he seemed like he had a very godly side to him and I think that's awesome. I bet that drove him to where he is now. He's good at it. It's a hard thing to do, to snap without being able to see. What he's done is amazing. It's an inspiration to everyone. It's an inspiration to people that have disabilities. It's great that someone like that is at a big school and can show others it is possible.
Baldwin: How do you relax away from the football field?
Bayliss: I play a lot of golf. I'm a big golfer.
Baldwin: If you weren't playing football, would you be playing golf?
Bayliss: If I wasn't a football player, I would probably be playing basketball. But if I wanted to do something else the rest of my life, it would be golf, for sure.
Baldwin: You have been in this program for awhile now. What kind of strides have you seen this program take?
Bayliss: I think we have grown together as a family. This year is a lot different. We've really come together. It's incredible to see what we have become. This team is a brotherhood. I attribute that to the leaders of the team, the coaches. They've really brought us together.
Baldwin: What is the ultimate goal this year?
Bayliss: The ultimate goal is to win a conference championship. That's always the goal, every season. Win a conference championship.
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