Alabama Rookie Free Agent Long Snapper Signed by the Dolphins

In the chaotic frenzy of NFL Draft weekend, the spotlight rarely falls on long snappers. Quarterbacks dominate the headlines, edge rushers garner the hype, and skill positions often steal the show. But in the NFL’s high-stakes world of inches and seconds, reliability is currency—and no position embodies that quiet value like the long snapper. That’s why when the Miami Dolphins inked former Alabama long snapper Kneeland Hibbett as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft, those who follow the nuances of roster building understood the move’s understated importance.

Hibbett, who handled long-snapping duties for the Crimson Tide during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, represents more than just a depth piece or special teams insurance policy. His journey is a testament to consistency, technical excellence, and the rarely celebrated art of flawless execution. For Miami, the addition could provide much-needed security in one of football’s most overlooked roles.

Kneeland Hibbett didn’t make headlines at Alabama the way Bryce Young or Will Anderson did in recent years, but within the program, his dependability was invaluable. Originally from Florence, Alabama, Hibbett joined the Crimson Tide as a walk-on in 2020. He spent his early years learning behind veteran snappers, gradually earning the trust of Alabama’s special teams coaches.

By the time he stepped into a starting role in 2023, Hibbett had already built a reputation for precise, tight spiral snaps and consistent velocity. While the casual viewer rarely noticed him, Alabama’s special teams unit knew that a clean snap often meant the difference between three points and disaster.

Under the pressure cooker of SEC football, Hibbett never flinched. Across two seasons, he delivered over 250 clean snaps for field goals, extra points, and punts—without a single misfire or blocking assignment error. That reliability caught the attention of NFL scouts, even if it didn’t come with a draft pick attached.

The Miami Dolphins, led by head coach Mike McDaniel, have placed increasing emphasis on special teams continuity. After making the playoffs in back-to-back years and positioning themselves as legitimate contenders in the AFC East, the organization knows that the smallest miscues can derail entire seasons.

Miami’s incumbent long snapper, Blake Ferguson, has been solid but will be entering a contract year in 2025. While Ferguson has been steady, NFL teams often seek younger, cheaper alternatives who can match or exceed production without breaking the bank. In this context, Hibbett presents a low-risk, high-upside option.

Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman is known for valuing technical precision and mental toughness—two areas where Hibbett has excelled. Sources close to the Dolphins say the coaching staff was particularly impressed with Hibbett’s performance during Alabama’s Pro Day, where he not only showed sharp snapping technique but also tested well in quickness drills and coverage reps.

Being an undrafted free agent long snapper is not for the faint of heart. Unlike quarterbacks or wide receivers, who may receive multiple offers or generous signing bonuses, players like Hibbett often sign with little guaranteed money and no promises. Their NFL survival depends entirely on performance—at rookie minicamp, training camp, and preseason games.

But if anyone’s prepared for that climb, it’s Hibbett. At Alabama, he played in front of 100,000 fans, often under national spotlight. He executed in College Football Playoff games, navigated constant coaching scrutiny, and embraced the program’s “Process”-driven philosophy. That pedigree, combined with the special teams culture at Alabama under Nick Saban and current coordinator Coleman Hutzler, helped mold Hibbett into a player capable of withstanding the NFL’s crucible.

While the long snapper position doesn’t draw ratings or viral highlights, its importance is felt most acutely when things go wrong. A bad snap can lead to missed field goals, blocked punts, and even game-losing plays. In 2022, a botched long snap cost the Cincinnati Bengals a Week 1 win. In the playoffs, such errors are magnified tenfold.

That’s why teams like the Dolphins invest in precision. Every successful kick begins with a clean snap, and Hibbett brings a track record of perfection. His ability to deliver the ball on time, at a consistent velocity, with pinpoint accuracy, makes him more than just a footnote on a roster.

Moreover, Hibbett’s coverage skills—a requirement in the modern NFL—were above average at Alabama. He routinely got downfield after punts, demonstrated strong tackling technique, and rarely missed assignments. That versatility gives him a leg up on many peers.

Kneeland Hibbett’s signing continues a quiet tradition of Alabama producing NFL-ready specialists. While the program is better known for its dominant defenses and first-round offensive linemen, it has also sent several kickers, punters, and long snappers to the pros.

Notably, former Crimson Tide long snapper Carson Tinker spent nearly a decade in the NFL after going undrafted in 2013. More recently, punter JK Scott and kicker Will Reichard have made their NFL presence felt. Hibbett could be the next in that lineage, leveraging the Crimson Tide’s elite special teams infrastructure to earn his place in Miami.

Hibbett’s path to making the Dolphins’ 53-man roster is straightforward but competitive. He will likely compete head-to-head with Ferguson in training camp, and every rep will matter. NFL teams only carry one long snapper, meaning there is zero room for error.

While veterans tend to have the edge, financial considerations often tilt the scales in favor of younger players. Ferguson is set to make over $1.1 million in 2025, while Hibbett’s contract comes with the league minimum salary for rookies. If Hibbett proves he can match or exceed Ferguson’s performance at a lower price, the Dolphins could make a tough business decision.

There’s also the possibility that even if Hibbett doesn’t make Miami’s final roster, his preseason tape could land him opportunities elsewhere. Several teams—like the Titans, Chargers, and Saints—may look to shore up their special teams units with a cost-effective specialist.

One of Hibbett’s most talked-about traits at Alabama was his mental preparation. Special teams players often go long stretches without seeing the field, then are called upon in the most crucial moments. The ability to stay mentally locked in—and perform under pressure—is essential.

Coaches have praised Hibbett for his film study, attention to detail, and unwavering focus during practice. Alabama’s sports psychology department routinely highlighted him as a model of professionalism, even among scholarship stars. That quiet intensity is part of what makes him attractive to NFL evaluators.

In interviews, Hibbett has emphasized his commitment to routine, describing how he treats every rep in practice like it’s a game-winner. That mindset mirrors what the NFL demands—and it’s one of the reasons Miami was willing to bring him into the fold.

For Miami, every offseason move is about more than the present. The Dolphins are building for sustained success. With a dynamic offense led by Tua Tagovailoa, explosive weapons like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and a newly retooled defense under coordinator Anthony Weaver, the team’s margin for error is narrowing.

That’s where players like Hibbett come in. In games likely to be decided by three points or less, consistency on field goals and punts can tip the scales. By investing in a long snapper with Hibbett’s credentials, the Dolphins are showing that they’re not just chasing flashy upgrades—they’re hunting sustained execution across all phases.

For now, Hibbett will participate in rookie minicamp in Miami, where he’ll get his first reps alongside fellow undrafted free agents and recent draft picks. From there, he’ll move on to OTAs and eventually training camp.

Every snap he delivers will be scrutinized. Every drill will be evaluated. And yet, for a player like Hibbett, that’s nothing new. He comes from a program that demands perfection every day and has developed a work ethic built for the grind.

Whether he secures the Dolphins’ starting job or finds another NFL home, Kneeland Hibbett has already beaten the odds. He’s proven that excellence, even in football’s quietest corners, gets noticed—and that sometimes, the most important players are the ones you never hear about.

While Kneeland Hibbett’s NFL story is only just beginning, it’s already another feather in Alabama’s cap and a smart move by the Dolphins. He represents the kind of player every team needs but few fans recognize—a quiet professional capable of turning chaos into calm in high-pressure moments.

For Alabama, it’s another testament to the program’s holistic development of talent across all positions. For Miami, it’s a potential long-term solution at one of the most underrated roles in football.

As Hibbett takes the next snap in his football journey, both he and the Dolphins know the stakes. And if history is any indication, he’ll deliver—spiral tight, laces up, right on target.