A casual football fan, peering out onto the gridiron or watching on television from home, may not be familiar with an important aspect of football that occurs during a game. Mizzou Football fans may have even less awareness of the task, considering the high level of consistency that has been displayed over the past few seasons. Senior Jake Hurrell is the Tigers' long snapper. It's one of the less-glorified positions in the scheme of a football game. However, long snapping is a crucial part of the special teams phase of a game. On most fourth downs for the Tigers' offense, Hurrell is called upon to deliver an accurate snap for field goals or punts. Hurrell's consistency throughout his time in Columbia has proved to be extremely important for the Tigers.

"In eighth grade, my dad was one of the assistant coaches for our team and he said I should give it a shot because he did it in high school," Hurrell explained when asked about how he first picked up long snapping. "In high school, coaches told me that it could take me somewhere, so I just kept working and working at it."

"I had a really good coaching staff around me in high school, and they really wanted to see me be the best that I could be and they saw the special, sort of niche talent that I had in long snapping. And they pushed me to go to certain camps to compete against guys around the country and I had success with that, and I'd come to the Mizzou camp and snap in front of the coaches and that's how I got here," Hurrell continued.

Born and raised in St. Charles, Mo., about an hour-and-a-half from Columbia, Hurrell grew up wearing black and gold. "If you're from Missouri, you grow up a Tigers fan, you dream of playing here."

Hurrell eventually realized he had a legitimate opportunity. "I knew once I started getting some traction with long snapping, that this could be my ticket to Mizzou, so I really pursued it that way, just because there's not many opportunities when you can live out the job of your dreams like this."

After walking on and redshirting as a freshman in 2012, Hurrell emerged during his first year on the field, as he took over long-snapping responsibilities. His performance was spectacular and he even earned most improved special teams player.

"Going in, I just knew if I kept my head down and worked, I could do something," said Hurrell. "But I never expected to get an award, or to four years later, still be the starter, so I've just grinded through it."

 Hurrell's hard work led to being put on scholarship before the 2014 season. Off of the field, Hurrell has found a way to make an impact on campus and in the community during his time in Columbia. Hurrell is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which is a ministry group that has a large branch at Mizzou.

"I've gotten to really be involved in that (FCA) the last couple of years. My roommates, my best friends, have really come through that group, and it's just been a huge part of my life here at Mizzou. It's kept me grounded," explained Hurrell.

In the classroom, Hurrell is pursuing his master's in business as he started MBA program this fall. When asked about his future, two slightly different outcomes emerged.

"The NFL pays pretty well, so if they want me to snap balls I'll hopefully be snapping balls," Hurrell said with a laugh. "But if not, my goal is to start my own business, and that's why I want to get my masters to kind of hone in on what I want to do. Hopefully, something that positively impacts the world through business."

Whichever path he ends up taking, it is obvious that Hurrell's time here at Mizzou has been both impactful and memorable.

So, next time you take in a Mizzou Football game, take a second to watch No. 86 do his job. It might not seem like much, but the consistency and precision that Hurrell has displayed over the past four years, has truly been nothing short of impressive.