A Yale-to-Boston College long snapper whose grandfather scored the winning touchdown in the Ice Bowl, now chasing a roster spot with the Giants.
Ben Mann, a Manheim Township, Pennsylvania native, spent three seasons snapping at Yale before transferring to Boston College for his final year, and signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2026. Football runs in the family: his grandfather, Chuck Mercein, was a Giants draft pick himself back in 1965 before becoming a Packers folk hero.
Path to the league
Mann started his college career at Yale, where he was the long snapper for three seasons, before transferring to Boston College for the 2025 season. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Giants shortly after as a specialist competing for the team's open long snapper job.
Career highlights
Mann has a direct family tie to the Giants: his grandfather, Chuck Mercein, was drafted by New York in the third round (31st overall) of the 1965 NFL Draft out of Yale, and later became a key contributor for the Packers, rushing for 34 of Green Bay's 68 yards on the winning drive of the 1967 Ice Bowl.
2025 season recap
In his lone season at Boston College, Mann handled long snapping duties in all 12 of the Eagles' games and recorded three special teams tackles. After going unselected in the 2026 draft, he signed with the Giants, and New York's decision to release veteran Zach Triner in June left Mann as the club's primary long snapper heading into camp.
Sources
- ESPN: Ben Mann
- Boston College Athletics: Ben Mann Signs With New York Giants
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Long Snapper
- Group
- specialTeam
- College
- Boston College
- Hometown
- Lancaster, PA, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
