The Art of the Snap
Memorial's Graham one of nation's top deep-snappers
Feb 13, 2019, 2:29 pm
Graham has been selected to play in USA Football's International Bowl. Via Vype
Originally appeared on Vype
The art of the snap.
While it seems so easy, the deep snapper position is becoming a highly-coveted specialty skill that can be the difference between a win and loss.
Houston is home to a nationally-ranked deep snapper in Memorial's Jacob Graham.
Graham's father had a friend who was a tight end for the New England Patriots, who converted to a deep snapper.
"That's when I really got interested in it," the long-time Texas A&M fan said. "It's a skill that anyone can learn. If you commit to it, you can get pretty good at it."
Graham only picked up the skill a year ago.
"You have to be pretty flexible in your hamstrings and shoulders to get you through the ball," he said. "Other than that, it's all about repetition. Over time, it will come."
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The Astros know how to win these games, and it shows
Jun 29, 2025, 4:28 pm
Kyle Tucker launched a three-run homer and matched a season high with four hits against the team that traded him in December, and the Chicago Cubs routed Houston 12-3 on Saturday night to stop the Astros' five-game winning streak.
Tucker also scored four times to pace a Cubs lineup that pounded out 15 hits, including three by Dansby Swanson. Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner also went deep.
Chicago hit three homers in an inning for the second time this season during a seven-run fourth. Busch and Hoerner had back-to-back solo shots to put the Cubs on top 3-2, and Tucker’s drive made it 7-2.
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Smith, part of the package Houston received for Tucker, finished with two hits and has homered in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
Lance McCullers Jr. (1-3) came off the injured list and allowed eight runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings.
Isaac Paredes, also part of the Astros' trade return for Tucker, hit his 17th home run.
Key moment
Tucker’s three-run homer in the fourth that put the Cubs ahead 7-2.
Key stat
McCullers has a 10.89 ERA in five home starts this season, but hasn’t allowed an earned run in three road starts.
Up next
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (8-4, 2.88 ERA) opposes RHP Jameson Taillon (7-5, 4.77 ERA) when the series concludes Sunday.