Miami long snapper Adam Booker has earned national recognition ahead of his final college season.
The Patrick Mannelly Award placed Booker on its 2026 preseason watch list, which features 20 long snappers from across the Football Bowl Subdivision. The award honors the nation’s top college long snapper.
Booker also made the watch list before the 2025 season, but his performance during Miami’s run to the national championship game gave him a stronger résumé entering 2026.
The redshirt senior handled Miami’s long and short snaps throughout all 16 games last season. He worked on punts, field goals and extra points while recording three solo tackles. Booker also played in each of Miami’s four College Football Playoff games.
Long snappers rarely receive attention unless a mistake occurs. Booker’s consistency helped Miami avoid those damaging moments during its longest season in program history.
Every field-goal attempt starts with an accurate snap. Every punt requires proper velocity and placement. A slight error can disrupt timing, force the holder or punter to adjust and turn a routine special teams play into a turnover or blocked kick.
Booker handled those responsibilities throughout Miami’s 13-win season.
The Holly Springs, North Carolina, native began his college career at Charlotte. He redshirted in 2022, took over the 49ers’ punt-snapping duties in 2023 and served as Charlotte’s primary snapper in 2024. He transferred to Miami before the 2025 season and immediately claimed the Hurricanes’ starting job.
His athletic background also separates him from many specialists.
Booker played wide receiver at Middle Creek High School, catching 42 passes for 789 yards and six touchdowns across two seasons. That experience likely contributed to his ability to cover punts and make tackles after snapping the ball.
The award carries the name of Patrick Mannelly, who spent 16 NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears. A national panel evaluates candidates through snapping accuracy, blocking, coverage ability, leadership and overall value to their teams.
Booker joins a watch list that includes players from Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, Auburn, Ohio State, Penn State, SMU and Stanford.
Miami will depend on Booker again as it replaces several important special teams pieces and prepares for another championship push. Specialists often provide stability during roster transitions, and Booker gives the Hurricanes an experienced player at the center of every punt and place-kicking operation.
A finalist spot would bring greater attention later in the season.
Booker’s first goal, however, will involve the same task he completed throughout 2025: deliver every snap accurately and keep Miami’s special teams on schedule.
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