College football's top long snapper in 2025, a UCLA-to-Georgia transfer whose steady hands earned the Patrick Mannelly Award and a spot with the Bears.
Beau Gardner turned an injury-slowed start at UCLA into a decorated finish at Georgia, where he became one of the most honored long snappers in the country. Chicago signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2026, adding a proven specialist to its roster.
Path to the league
Gardner attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, where he shifted from center and tackle to long snapper after a specialized training camp. He began his college career at UCLA in 2020 before transferring to Georgia for his final two seasons, and he signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 NFL draft.
Career highlights
After missing his first season at UCLA with a foot injury, Gardner became the Bruins' starting long snapper in 2023, starting all 13 games. He then started every game over two seasons at Georgia, earning first-team All-SEC honors both years and first-team All-American recognition from the AFCA in 2025.
2025 season recap
In his final college season at Georgia, Gardner capped a first-team All-SEC and first-team All-American campaign by winning the 2025 Patrick Mannelly Award as the nation's top long snapper. That decorated senior year, built on a strong 6-foot-5, 249-pound frame, made him a coveted undrafted signing.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Beau Gardner
- Wikipedia: Patrick Mannelly Award
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Long Snapper
- Group
- specialTeam
- College
- Georgia
- Hometown
- San Francisco, CA, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
