2022 NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Jonathan Sullivan, LS, University of West Florida

• Name: Jonathan Sullivan
• Position: Long Snapper
• College: University of West Florida (Grad Tran. From FAU)
• Height: 6’1’’
• Weight: 222Lbs
• Twitter: @Jwsulli25
• Instagram: @jwsully25

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2022 NFL Draft?

• As a snapper, I snap efficiently, accurately, and consistently enough that 52 guys on an NFL roster can rely on me to get my job done every week. I SEPARATE myself with a high motor and the ability to consistently block and cover violently. I believe my faith has helped me develop a strong character the brews great leadership on and off the field. That pushes me to want to represent the team’s name on the front of my NFL jersey, and more importantly my family name on the back.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

• Probably Third grade, for Christmas I got an XBOX (the old old one) and a beat-up copy of Madden 07 with Shaun Alexander on the front. That’s about all it took.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

• A scout once told me he had never seen a violent long snapper before. I’ve spent the past 18 months trying to emulate that on the football field: being a violent long snapper. Also, I have great leadership capabilities and approach every rep/play with a “dawg” mentality to provide servant leadership for our special teams’ unit.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

• I would donate to organizations that are trying to shut down human sex trafficking.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

1. Live full, die empty.
2. Fortune favors the bold.
3. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Who was your childhood hero?

• Steve Irwin. Hands Down. RIP

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

• We have several guys at UWF that have major roles and go unnoticed. I would say our LT Jacob Bruce is our most underrated, he’s got impeccable technique and is under 300lbs. He never allowed a sack the entire season.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

• Wasted time.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

• I have had several moments of adversity on this journey, one of the hardest was starting this dream of playing college football from scratch. I got in a car accident right before graduating HS, and that was a pivotal time for me. I had a long road ahead to learn how to snap properly and develop my body into a remotely athletic build at the time. It took me 4 long years before I ever officially made a college roster. There was a purpose God intended for the multitudes of pain. Well-worth the grind.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

• UWF is extremely unique in many ways. Has the most talented roster in D2, highly experienced coaching staff, very unique stadium (on the harbor), but most of all UWF embodies the phrase “Arete” which is the Greek translation for “excellence”. It’s helped shape me into the man I am today.

What is your favorite snack food?

• This is tough. Sweet baby Rays “Sweet and Spicy” beef jerky is hard to beat. I’m not a candy guy except for a bag of those Chewable Sprees. I’ll also eat fresh Kiwi any day any time.

What is the best part of football?

• The brotherhood. Hands down. I’m blessed God gives me this platform to serve and be part of some unique and special.

If you could sell yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

• “Sully…You’re the first long snapper I’ve ever seen that runs down the field and actually TRIES to hit someone. You’ll be paid big bucks one day.” – the Great Monte Kiffin

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

• Luke Rhodes. He is an incredibly talented ball player and is a new breed of Long snapper. I plan to do what he does at a high level for a career of my own.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

1. Dennis Rodman: He made a hall of fame career out of maximizing his job as a role player. His heart, hustle, and swag helped him be who he is. I have a great respect for people who be themselves unapologetically and pair that with a tremendous work ethic.  Believe it or not, I try find ways to implement his grit and grind into my performance as a snapper.
2. Tony Dungy: I read his book, twice. I think he is a great role model and would love to get his insight on me as a man of God and as a ball player.
3. James Bond: If James Bond was a real person, I’d love to sit down and hear all the crazy stories. Especially the Daniel Craig version.