2010 Spartan Nation Football Profile: Alex Shackleton SN #56

 Expectation: Big Ten’s Best Long Snapper  Height:  6’2”  Weight: 240#  2010 Eligibility: fifth year senior  EXP: 3 letters Â

 

Shackleton came to MSU as a walk on and will leave as one of the all time greats. Photo courtesy of MSU SID

Expectation: Big Ten’s Best Long Snapper

 

Height:  6’2”

 

Weight:Â 240#

 

2010 Eligibility: fifth year senior

 

EXP:Â 3 letters

 

Status: Big Ten’s Best Long Snapper

 

Strengths: If you look for players that are masters of their craft, there is no better player in the Big Ten than Alex Shackleton. He is the best player in the country that no one knows. He is a long snapper. They don’t get love or attention unless they screw up. He doesn’t and that is why so many people don’t know him.

 

He is the best in the Big Ten and ONLY because I don’t cover the nation in depth like the Big Ten do, I withhold saying the best in the nation. He doesn’t make mistakes. He truly has mastered his craft.

 

At the end of the year, if the only time you hear Shackleton’s name is from this preview you will once again know he had a great season.

 

Final Analysis: Greg Jones is a great player. He deserves ALL of the praise. At his position Shackleton is better. I have watched every single play of the Spartans last season many times and Shackleton is nearly perfect in his performance.

 

In 2011, the Spartans’ biggest loss could be Shackleton. When the long snapper screws up it costs immediate points. Like K Todd Boleski in 2008, his loss could truly be painful for MSU in 2011. For now, let’s enjoy his precision in 2010. I can tell you this, as great of a player that he is, he is an even better humble and genuine person.

 

Next up: Edwin ROCK Baker