2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Adam Guillemette, LS, Holy Cross

• Name: Adam Guillemette
• Position: Long Snapper 
• College: Holy Cross
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 227
• Twitter: @iamadam40
• Instagram: @iamadam19

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2023 NFL Draft?

Having played in a pro-style punt protection for my entire college career, I’ve spent the last 4 years developing the skills that are expected from a professional long snapper. 

I pride myself on snapping a consistent, fast, and accurate ball at the highest level in the country, but what distinguishes me from other long snappers is my efficiency, transition time from snap to block, and blocking technique. Because of this, I have proven my ability to effectively block every kind of punt-rush scheme from straight A-gap rushes to cross-faces and twists, while also being a factor in coverage. 

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

I first started playing football when I was in the 6th grade. I had played a lot of other sports until then, but I remember already knowing football was for me when me and my mom went to pick up my equipment before my first season. 

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

I try to do everything I can to be great at my position—you’re not going to find another specialist with more of a love for his craft.  

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

Being an economics and environmental studies double major at Holy Cross, I have always had an interest in environmentalism. If I could donate to one cause, it would probably be to environmental conservation. 

What is the best advice you have ever received?

I have been lucky to be mentored by Zach Triner, long snapper for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while I’ve been at Holy Cross. The first time we ever met, he went out of his way to come and train with me at my high school. Before we started he told me to pick one thing to work on that session and to be intentional about it, without worrying about anything else. I have used that advice every practice since. 

Who was your childhood hero?

Probably my dad. I had a lot of sports heroes (Joey Bosa, Luke Keuchley, etc.) that I tried to emulate growing up, but I think most of the qualities that I have that bring me success in football come from my dad. I’ve never had to question what a good work ethic looks like, because he’s always demonstrated that. 

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

As a specialist, I’m very tempted to say my punter Pat Haughney! While that’s true, I would have to decide between Cristos Argys (DB) and Sean Morris (TE), who are two players I’ve watched play recklessly every week without a lot of the limelight. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People talking in movie theaters always gets me.

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

When I decided I wanted to play college football in the United States, I was 14 years old. I’m originally from Canada, so there weren’t a lot of recruiting or exposure opportunities for US schools (at least, not at the time). At the end of my freshman year of high school, I decided to move away from home to play football at a school 15 minutes from the border. The entire school was the one football team, we did our classes in classrooms above an indoor practice field, and every week we would travel to Ohio and New York to play games. 

Being away from home at that age was really difficult, especially in that competitive environment with other players (some of whom were 19 and 20 years old). There were many, many nights that I considered picking up the phone and leaving. I was only there for a year, but that environment taught me a lot about the sacrifices it takes to succeed in football, individually and as part of a team.

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

Holy Cross is a one-of-a-kind place. It is a true liberal arts college with just above 3,000 students, but has a historic Division I football program that wins against FBS programs and goes toe-to-toe with massive state-schools like South Dakota State. That’s a combination that you really can’t find anywhere else. 

With it being such a small school, I think every student and faculty member feels like they have a personal stake in our team. This past season in particular (2022), I think every player on the team felt the community rally around us. 

What is your favorite snack food?

Hint-of-lime chips and salsa. Easily.

What is the best part of football?

I don’t think there is another sport that brings so many different types of people, from different places, with different body types, and different skill sets together. I also like how the only way for any football team to maximize its potential is by each player maximizing their own individual potential. This means that no matter how small someone’s role is in football, their job is integral to the success of the team.

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

Extremely hard-working and attentive player, who loves what he does and has what it takes to long snap at the next level. 

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

Josh Harris. In addition to our similar size and technique, I love his philosophy towards snapping. I once heard an interview where he spoke about the minutiae of his field goal snaps—his team had picked up a left-footed kicker, which meant the holder would have to line up on the opposite side of the hash. So, he spent the summer doing countless reps preparing for that simple visual change. It resonated with me and my own perfectionist approach to snapping. He’s an invaluable, yet unnoticed, player in his special teams unit, which is what I aspire to be. 

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

Winston Churchill because he’s my favorite historical figure, Rick Rubin because I think he’s one of the most interesting people alive right now, and Paul McCartney because my favorite band of all time is the Beatles.