2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jac Casasante, LS, University of Southern California

• Name: Jac Casasante
• Position: Long snapper
• College: University of Southern California
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 237
• Twitter: casasante_jac
• Instagram: casasante

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

I believe I offer a combination of skill in my position, athleticism, and a drive to constantly improve myself. I am a perfectionist when it comes to snapping, I’m always looking for new ways to hone in my craft. 

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

I grew up watching USC games with my dad and have always loved the sport. It wasn’t until high school that I actually started to play. After the first day of freshman football, I fell in love with the sport, and have played ever since. 

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

NFL team should know that I am a very optimistic person who likes to help everyone around them. 

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

If I could only donate to one cause I would like to donate to a charity that supports children. There are a lot of organizations that help displaced, sick, and children in need. And example of this is the Scottish Rite hospital in Dallas Texas, which we got to visit as a team when we played in the Cotton Bowl.   

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

The best advice I’ve ever received was from my first special teams coach my freshman year at USC. He pulled me into his office and pointed at a picture of a lion chasing a gazelle. He asked me who I believed I was in the picture which I responded I guess the gazelle. He responded with you’re not even in the picture you’re the guy taking it. That really set the tone early for me in my USC career, I knew from that moment I could not stand around and do the minimum, and hope to better my standing in the depth chart and develop as a player. From then on, I strive to be the best in everything I do, whether it is in the weight room or on the field.

Who was your childhood hero? 

Growing up in Los Angeles, and watching the Lakers, Kobe Bryant was my childhood hero. He was not only extremely entertaining to watch but as an athlete taught so many valuable lessons. I learned how to persevere through injury, and to work harder than anyone else in order to achieve the things I wanted in life. 

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

I don’t know if he’s considered underrated now, but Tahj Washington was always someone in our locker room that you could point to as a perfect example of what hard work and selflessness look like. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

My biggest pet peeve is littering or leaving things extremely messy for other people to deal with. I consider myself a very mindful person and when people do things like that, it shows how lazy and inconsiderate others can be.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favorite professor ever was Kevin Fields at USC. I believe he offered three or four classes, and I took them all. He taught mostly about real estate and business law and was able to teach it in a way where it was not only easy to understand but entertaining. He had a very unique sense of dry humor that he used to make the concepts and real-life examples applicable to various situations. 

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

The hardest moment in my life that I overcame was a mistake I made that could’ve cost us the game. As a long snapper, you are never allowed to make a mistake, and is the only position where you have to be perfect. After making this mistake, I felt unsure of who I was as a football player and if I could succeed on the collegiate level. Instead of being in my head and constantly worrying about the doubts that filled my mind I made sure to have the best week of practice I could have. The following week we played Notre Dame, and the forecast was rain. I put so much deliberate practice into every rep I took during that week that I felt more confident than I ever had before any game. When it was all said and done, I snapped extremely well in wet conditions and had a perfect snap in a very crucial moment of the game. 

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

USC is extremely special to me not only because my dad is an alumnus but also because it’s where I have made so many lifelong relationships, as well as where I met my girlfriend. I feel very lucky to have been a member of the football team and in a fraternity. Both of these places are where I have learned a lot about myself, and how to lead others.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

It would be McDonald’s without a doubt. The sausage and egg McMuffin is one of the best breakfast items available across any restaurant chain. They also have the best Diet Coke which I frequently enjoy, especially in the summer.

What is your favorite snack food? 

My favorite snack food has to be peanut M&Ms that have been frozen or Haribo gummy bears. Both of these items double as a snack and a great treat at the end of the night.

What is your degree in? 

I have an undergraduate degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance. 

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

I am someone who shows up with a sense of excitement and positivity consistently day in and day out and who never takes the shortcut or easy way out. 

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

I would like to be compared to Luke Rhodes, the long-snapper for the Indianapolis Colts. He is someone I model my game after as he is extremely strong in the weight room has great technique and is an overall athlete. 

What is your favorite game to play at the carnival/theme park?

Even though I’m not the best basketball player in the world I do love the basketball games at carnivals/theme parks. I’ve heard the rims are rigged, which is my excuse for why I never win. 

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

Kobe Bryant, Ray Kroc, and Phil Knight. All of these people have shown excellence in their respective fields and I feel like I would learn a lot. I think Kobe would give me great advice about my career as an athlete and how I approach training and competition. Ray Kroc, and Phil Knight would be great people to talk to about how to one day start or manage a business which is something I would want to do one day.