University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Tigers Football Q&A: Preston Brady
Dec 20, 2018 | Football
Tigers holder carrying on family tradition of wearing the Blue and Gray.
Note: The Preston Brady Q&A first appeared in the Tigers Football GameDay program Oct. 6 when Memphis hosted Connecticut.
Q:Â Â You were raised here in Memphis. Your grandfather played for the Tigers. You were always going to be a Memphis Tiger, correct?
A:Â Growing up, I've always wanted to play at Memphis and follow in my grandfather's footsteps. As a kid, I wore a DeAngelo (Williams) jersey and attended all the Tigers games. I loved doing that, so playing for Memphis was always my dream.
Q:Â Â When did you begin playing football?
A:Â Â Â I played flag football starting in first grade, and then tackle football from fourth grade on up.
Q:Â Â What positions did you play?
A:Â Â In fourth grade, I played quarterback, which wasn't the best decision. In high school, I played defensive end and center.
Q:Â Â Talk a little more about your quarterback days.
A:Â Â Â It was not very good. The plan was if someone's not open, just run as fast as you can and try not to get tackled.
Q:Â Although you say you weren't a good quarterback in your early days of football, have your throwing skills improved to the point where, if called on, you can throw on a fake field goal attempt?
A:Â My arm is ready, 100 percent. My quarterbacking skills have improved over the years, so I'm ready to go when it's called.
Q: You played offensive line in high school. Talk about your time at that position.
A:  During my high school years, I gained some weight. And, at my high school (Evangelical Christian School), we were low on numbers of players on the team. So, the coaches thought since I was the long snapper that I might as well play center. I also like to mix it up a little. I'm a physical guy so I fit perfectly on the offensive line. I enjoyed it even though I wasn't the biggest guy. I had fun "moving" people around.
Q:Â Â Describe the difference in playing center and long snapper.
A:  When playing center, the snap to the quarterback is only 5.5 yards. For a long snapper, the distance of the snap to the punter increases to 14.5 yards. That's a big difference in distance. A center doesn't need to snap a spiral or have a fast snap. But, a long snapper needs a spiral and to also have good speed. It's a big difference.
Q:Â Â Did you attend a camp for long snapping?
A:Â Â I went to a Kohl's Kicking Camp, and they have camps all around the country. They had a camp here in Memphis, so my dad signed me up and I kept going to them. I really enjoyed the camps.
Q:Â Â How much pressure is there in long snapping?
A:Â Â Â You have to snap, block and get down field to make a tackle in a short amount of time. I've told my friends, "If you never see my name on ESPN, that's a good thing. It means I didn't mess up." There's a lot of pressure in getting the ball back there and making sure it's perfect every time.
Q:Â Â Now, you've moved to holder. Did you have previous holding experience?
A:Â Â Â No, I didn't. In high school, I only long snapped. Last year, Evan Michael took me under his wing and taught me all of his tips. Also, near the end of last season, I began practicing with Riley (Patterson). I wanted to be able to step in this year, so coach (Joe) Lorig wouldn't have to worry about it.
Q:Â Â When you're on the field getting ready for kick, what are you looking for?
A:  If we are close to the boundary side, I look to see if the end is blitzing hard and that determines how fast I have to get the ball down. My job is to get it down in such a way that Riley is comfortable.
Q:Â Â What's the goal time-wise to get a kick off?
A:Â Â From snap to hold to kick, coach wants to be below 1.25 seconds. It happens so fast. That's why I like doing it because I don't have time to think.
Q:Â Â What does it mean to play for your hometown school?
A:Â Â Â It's something I dreamed about, and when it first happened, it was unbelievable. It's like "Wow!" It's something indescribable. Every time at Tiger Walk or running out of the tunnel, seeing all those fans gives me chills. After each game is over, I say, "Is it the next Saturday yet?" I love being around the community and seeing how they support us. It's amazing.
Q:Â Â You were raised here in Memphis. Your grandfather played for the Tigers. You were always going to be a Memphis Tiger, correct?
A:Â Growing up, I've always wanted to play at Memphis and follow in my grandfather's footsteps. As a kid, I wore a DeAngelo (Williams) jersey and attended all the Tigers games. I loved doing that, so playing for Memphis was always my dream.
Q:Â Â When did you begin playing football?
A:Â Â Â I played flag football starting in first grade, and then tackle football from fourth grade on up.
Q:Â Â What positions did you play?
A:Â Â In fourth grade, I played quarterback, which wasn't the best decision. In high school, I played defensive end and center.
Q:Â Â Talk a little more about your quarterback days.
A:Â Â Â It was not very good. The plan was if someone's not open, just run as fast as you can and try not to get tackled.
Q:Â Although you say you weren't a good quarterback in your early days of football, have your throwing skills improved to the point where, if called on, you can throw on a fake field goal attempt?
A:Â My arm is ready, 100 percent. My quarterbacking skills have improved over the years, so I'm ready to go when it's called.
Q: You played offensive line in high school. Talk about your time at that position.
A:  During my high school years, I gained some weight. And, at my high school (Evangelical Christian School), we were low on numbers of players on the team. So, the coaches thought since I was the long snapper that I might as well play center. I also like to mix it up a little. I'm a physical guy so I fit perfectly on the offensive line. I enjoyed it even though I wasn't the biggest guy. I had fun "moving" people around.
Q:Â Â Describe the difference in playing center and long snapper.
A:  When playing center, the snap to the quarterback is only 5.5 yards. For a long snapper, the distance of the snap to the punter increases to 14.5 yards. That's a big difference in distance. A center doesn't need to snap a spiral or have a fast snap. But, a long snapper needs a spiral and to also have good speed. It's a big difference.
Q:Â Â Did you attend a camp for long snapping?
A:Â Â I went to a Kohl's Kicking Camp, and they have camps all around the country. They had a camp here in Memphis, so my dad signed me up and I kept going to them. I really enjoyed the camps.
Q:Â Â How much pressure is there in long snapping?
A:Â Â Â You have to snap, block and get down field to make a tackle in a short amount of time. I've told my friends, "If you never see my name on ESPN, that's a good thing. It means I didn't mess up." There's a lot of pressure in getting the ball back there and making sure it's perfect every time.
Q:Â Â Now, you've moved to holder. Did you have previous holding experience?
A:Â Â Â No, I didn't. In high school, I only long snapped. Last year, Evan Michael took me under his wing and taught me all of his tips. Also, near the end of last season, I began practicing with Riley (Patterson). I wanted to be able to step in this year, so coach (Joe) Lorig wouldn't have to worry about it.
Q:Â Â When you're on the field getting ready for kick, what are you looking for?
A:  If we are close to the boundary side, I look to see if the end is blitzing hard and that determines how fast I have to get the ball down. My job is to get it down in such a way that Riley is comfortable.
Q:Â Â What's the goal time-wise to get a kick off?
A:Â Â From snap to hold to kick, coach wants to be below 1.25 seconds. It happens so fast. That's why I like doing it because I don't have time to think.
Q:Â Â What does it mean to play for your hometown school?
A:Â Â Â It's something I dreamed about, and when it first happened, it was unbelievable. It's like "Wow!" It's something indescribable. Every time at Tiger Walk or running out of the tunnel, seeing all those fans gives me chills. After each game is over, I say, "Is it the next Saturday yet?" I love being around the community and seeing how they support us. It's amazing.
Players Mentioned
LS
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