The Jets just signed the most athletic long snapper in NFL history

The New York Jets’ undrafted free agent class already includes one of the strangest and most intriguing signings of the weekend.

The Jets signed BYU long snapper Garrison Grimes shortly after the 2026 NFL Draft concluded. That might sound like little more than camp-body news, but no, Grimes is not just any long snapper.

He owns a perfect 10.00 Relative Athletic Score, making him the most athletic long snapper in NFL history. Yes, really. The Jets just signed the most athletic long snapper the sport of football has ever seen at the professional level.

That would be a fun trivia note on its own. But the Jets already employ veteran Thomas Hennessy, who remains the longest-tenured player on the roster. This is a notable spring addition for the Jets, and one that could leave Hennessy without a job come September.

The Jets' newest UDFA signing could push Thomas Hennessy for a roster spot

Grimes transferred to BYU in 2025 after three seasons at Baylor and earned Second Team All-America honors from the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) this past year. His testing numbers were absurd for a long snapper: a 4.81 forty-yard dash, a 1.62 ten-yard split, a 32.5-inch vertical, over nine feet in the broad jump, and 22 bench press reps.

One might wonder why testing numbers even matter for long snappers, but athleticism at the position is often more important than most fans realize.

These players are not just snapping the football. They are expected to sprint downfield in coverage, navigate traffic, and help make tackles on special teams. Athleticism can be a genuine advantage, and the Jets know that firsthand.

Back in 2017, the Jets moved on from longtime long snapper Tanner Purdum in favor of Hennessy, then an undrafted rookie out of Duke whom they acquired in a trade with the Colts. One of the reasons cited at the time was Hennessy’s superior athleticism and ability to contribute more in punt coverage.

Nearly a decade later, the Jets could apply that same logic again, only this time with Hennessy as the incumbent. Hennessy still has two years remaining on his contract, but the Jets could release him with a dead cap hit of just $175,000. That's hardly enough to prevent a roster change if Grimes wins the job.

There's also another important twist to note. The Jets signed BYU kicker Will Ferrin as a UDFA as well, giving them both the Cougars’ kicker and long snapper. It's possible Ferrin's familiarity with Grimes could give them both a leg up in their respective competitions. Cade York and Lenny Krieg are the other two kickers currently on the Jets' roster.

Most fans will overlook a UDFA long snapper signing. But between the historic athleticism, the low-cost veteran alternative, and the built-in BYU connection, this suddenly looks like one of the more interesting camp battles of the offseason.

Long snappers matter too, folks.

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