A physics major with a 3.97 GPA, Ashby was the only long snapper drafted in 2025 and delivered on the Patriots' biggest kicks as a rookie.
Julian Ashby turned a specialist position most fans never think about into a draft headline, becoming Vanderbilt's first draft pick in years and the lone long snapper taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Patriots' seventh-round pick made an immediate impact, snapping for a game-winning field goal in prime time during his rookie season.
Path to the league
Ashby started at Furman from 2020 to 2023, appearing in 44 games and earning first-team FCS All-American honors as a senior in 2023 while also posting a 3.97 GPA as a physics major. He transferred to Vanderbilt for his final season in 2024, where he became a semifinalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award given annually to the nation's top long snapper. New England drafted him 251st overall in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him Vanderbilt's first draft pick since 2001.
Career highlights
Ashby's first-team FCS All-American season at Furman in 2023 stands as the top honor of his college career, built on four seasons as a starting long snapper across two programs and 57 total college games.
2025 season recap
Ashby made his NFL debut in Week 1 against Las Vegas and quickly became a reliable piece of New England's special teams. His signature rookie moment came on Sunday Night Football at Buffalo, where he snapped for Andy Borregales' game-winning 52-yard field goal.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Julian Ashby
- 985 The Sports Hub: Patriots select Vanderbilt long snapper Julian Ashby with 251st pick
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Long Snapper
- Group
- specialTeam
- College
- Vanderbilt
- Hometown
- Lilburn, GA, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
Team
