Andrew DePaola Jr. Bio
Andrew DePaola Jr. is an American professional football long snapper for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 28, 1987, in Parkton, Maryland, DePaola has established himself as one of the most reliable long snappers in professional football over a career spanning more than a decade. He made his NFL debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 7, 2014, after playing college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Throughout his career, DePaola has played for the Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, and currently the Minnesota Vikings, where he has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors for his exceptional consistency and precision at the long snapper position.
Early Life and Background
DePaola was born in Sparks, Maryland, a town in Baltimore County, and grew up attending Hereford High School in Parkton, Maryland. As a freshman in 2001, DePaola entered high school with a passion for baseball, but he soon shifted his focus to football. He quickly became an integral part of the school’s football team, the Bulls, and was promoted to the varsity squad by his sophomore year.
During his sophomore year, DePaola helped the Bulls win the 2A state championship in football. His success continued into his senior year, where he led the football team back to the state championship game, though they fell short. As the team’s quarterback, DePaola completed 68 percent of his passes, threw for 2,092 yards and 22 touchdowns with only seven interceptions, helping his team set a state record for single-season scoring with 636 points. He received the Baltimore County Offensive Player of the Year award from The Baltimore Sun and earned all-Metro and All-State honors.
In addition to his football achievements, DePaola continued playing baseball throughout high school. As a senior, he earned all-Metro honors after batting .527 and posting a 3-1 record as a pitcher. His final high school football game was the Good Samaritan Bowl hosted at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
Path to the NFL
After high school, DePaola enrolled at Rutgers University and joined the football team as a walk-on. During his first year, he was redshirted, allowing him to practice with the team while attending classes but not play in games. For his first two seasons on the team, including the redshirt year, DePaola served as the third-string quarterback, helping the team prepare for games during practices.
DePaola served as the team’s holder on field goals during his third season and did not drop the ball once. In 2007, during a game against the then-second-ranked University of South Florida, DePaola was featured on ESPN SportsCenter for a remarkable play where he received the ball for a field goal attempt but instead completed a 15-yard pass for a touchdown. During his fourth season, DePaola began the year as a wide receiver, but when starting long snapper Jeremy Branch sustained a leg injury, DePaola moved to the long snapper position.
He served as the team’s starting long snapper for the final four games of that season and throughout his fifth season, playing in every game. Despite his success at Rutgers, DePaola went undrafted by any NFL team after completing college in 2009.
Andrew DePaola Jr. Career
Early Career (2012-2016)
After going undrafted, DePaola spent two years working as a bartender and holding other odd jobs while waiting for his opportunity in professional football. In early August 2012, DePaola signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a long snapper during training camp, but he was waived just three weeks later on August 27, 2012. On January 3, 2013, DePaola was signed to a futures contract by the Buccaneers, meaning he would be added to the active roster at the start of the 2013 season.
However, DePaola was one of the final cuts during 2014 training camp, losing the roster spot to fellow long snapper Andrew Economos. He continued to work toward securing a permanent NFL role and finally achieved that goal on May 14, 2014, when he signed a two-year contract with the Buccaneers and earned the starting long snapper position. DePaola made his on-field NFL debut against the Carolina Panthers on September 7, 2014, executing two snaps on successful extra point attempts and recording one tackle assist. He went on to serve as the Buccaneers’ long snapper for three seasons from 2014 to 2016, appearing in 48 games.
Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders (2017-2018)
On August 22, 2017, DePaola re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he was released just 10 days later during final roster cuts on September 1, 2017. The very next day, on September 3, 2017, DePaola was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears, giving him the opportunity to continue his NFL career. He appeared in 16 games with the Bears during the 2017 season.
The following year, on March 16, 2018, DePaola signed a four-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. His tenure with the Raiders was unfortunately cut short when he suffered a torn ACL during Week 1 of the 2018 season. He was placed on injured reserve on September 12, 2018, ending his season after just one game.
Minnesota Vikings Breakthrough (2020-Present)
After being released by the Raiders in August 2019 and subsequently by the Panthers later that same month, DePaola sat out the entire 2019 NFL season. He had a tryout with the Houston Texans on August 20, 2020, but did not land a roster spot. On November 21, 2020, DePaola signed with the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings. He was elevated to the active roster for Weeks 11 and 12 against the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, returning to the practice squad between elevations.
On December 2, 2020, DePaola was promoted to the active roster and became the Vikings’ starting long snapper. His performance with Minnesota quickly drew recognition, and during the 2022 season, DePaola earned both his first Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro honors as the Vikings’ long snapper. This breakthrough season established him among the league’s elite at his position.
On March 14, 2023, DePaola signed a three-year contract extension with the Vikings, securing his future with the team through the 2026 season. He followed up his 2022 success by earning second-team All-Pro honors and his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection for the 2023 season. During the 2024 season, despite undergoing surgery to repair a hand injury on November 4, DePaola continued to perform at an elite level and was named first-team All-Pro while earning Pro Bowl honors once again, becoming the first long snapper in NFL history to achieve three consecutive Pro Bowl selections. On March 10, 2026, DePaola re-signed with the Vikings on a one-year contract worth $1.725 million.
Playing Style and Strengths
DePaola has built his reputation on exceptional consistency and precision as a long snapper. His snaps to both the holder on field goals and punts are known for their accuracy and consistent spiral rotation, which allows Vikings kickers and punters to execute their duties without adjustment. His experience spanning more than a decade has made him a trusted veteran presence in the Vikings’ special teams unit, and his ability to remain durable and effective even while dealing with injuries has distinguished him as one of the most reliable long snappers in the league.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
DePaola’s career highlights include becoming the first long snapper in NFL history to earn three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2022 to 2024. His Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors during this stretch reflect his standing as the premier long snapper in professional football. His most dramatic career moment came during his time at Rutgers when he caught a field goal attempt and turned it into a 15-yard touchdown pass against the second-ranked University of South Florida, a play that earned national television coverage on ESPN SportsCenter.
Andrew DePaola Jr. Career Statistics
DePaola has established himself as one of the most durable and consistent long snappers in professional football, compiling impressive statistics across his NFL career with multiple teams. His career spans more than 150 NFL games, showcasing his longevity and reliability at a position where precision is paramount.
Career Highlights
Throughout his NFL career, DePaola has appeared in 153 games, recording 23 total tackles and recovering one fumble. His most productive seasons came with the Minnesota Vikings, where he earned his first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 and 2024, second-team All-Pro recognition in 2023, and Pro Bowl selections in three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024. Before joining the Vikings, DePaola appeared in 48 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014 to 2016, 16 games with the Chicago Bears in 2017, and one game with the Oakland Raiders in 2018 before his season-ending injury.
Team History
DePaola’s NFL journey has taken him through five franchises over his career. He spent the majority of his early career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2012 to 2016, with a brief stint claimed by Chicago in 2017. He signed with Oakland in 2018 before injuries derailed his season. A brief time with Carolina followed in 2019, and he has been with Minnesota since joining the Vikings in November 2020.
| Team | Years | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2012-2016 | 48 |
| Chicago Bears | 2017 | 16 |
| Oakland Raiders | 2018 | 1 |
| Carolina Panthers | 2019 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 2020-2026 | 88 |
Andrew DePaola Jr. Personal Life
Background and Family
DePaola was born and raised in the Baltimore County area of Maryland, specifically in Sparks and Parkton. He attended Hereford High School, where his athletic versatility became apparent through his dual success in football and baseball. His family background and upbringing in the Maryland area provided the foundation for his development as a multi-sport athlete during his formative years.
Professional Recognition
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, DePaola has gained recognition for his longevity and reliability in a specialized position. His journey from undrafted free agent to multiple-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro selection demonstrates his perseverance through early career setbacks. DePaola remains active on social media, connecting with fans through his verified accounts while continuing his career with the Minnesota Vikings into the 2025 season.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season with the Minnesota Vikings, DePaola continued as the team’s starting long snapper following his re-signing in March 2026. The 2025 season marked another chapter in his distinguished career with the Vikings, where he has been a model of consistency since joining the team in late 2020. Despite the hand injury that required surgery during the 2024 season, DePaola demonstrated his resilience and commitment to his craft by returning to form for the 2025 campaign.
DePaola’s performance with the Vikings has been instrumental in the stability of Minnesota’s special teams unit. His partnership with the team’s kicker and punter has allowed for consistent execution in field goals, extra points, and punts throughout his tenure. The Vikings’ decision to re-sign him to a one-year contract extension demonstrates the organization’s confidence in his abilities and his continued value to the team’s success.
Looking ahead, DePaola remains one of the premier long snappers in the NFL, and his veteran presence provides stability for a Vikings special teams unit that relies on his precision and experience. His track record of Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections speaks to his sustained excellence, and he continues to serve as a role model for aspiring long snappers at all levels of football.