Tyler Ott Bio
Tyler Ott is an American professional football long snapper for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 28, 1992, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ott carved out a unique path in professional football after playing college football at Harvard University. He joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and has since built a durable career spanning multiple teams. Ott earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2020 during his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, solidifying his reputation as one of the most reliable long snappers in the league.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Ott was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on February 28, 1992, to Dan Ott and Laurie (Applekamp) Ott. He attended Jenks Public Schools in Oklahoma and was a three-sport athlete at Jenks High School, lettering in football, basketball, and track and field. Ott served as captain in all three sports during his high school career, demonstrating leadership and versatility across multiple disciplines.
On the football field at Jenks High School, Ott played both tight end and long snapper while leading his team to three state championship appearances. He finished his high school football career with 47 receptions for 771 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns. The team won the state championship in 2007, defeating Tulsa Union High School 42-24. Ott also excelled in track and field, competing in shot put and discus with personal records of 50 feet 2 inches in shot put and 148 feet 9 inches in discus.
Path to the NFL
After graduating from Jenks High School, Ott continued his athletic and academic career at Harvard University from 2010 to 2013. He played for the Harvard Crimson as both a tight end and long snapper all four years. Though he began as primarily a blocking tight end, he emerged as the team’s primary long snapper by his sophomore year and became a receiving threat as well.
Ott’s senior season was his most productive, as he became one of two starting tight ends in Harvard’s two-tight-end offense. He finished the season with 15 receptions for 188 yards and 4 touchdowns. A standout performance came against Princeton when he caught three touchdowns in a triple-overtime loss, earning National Tight End of the Week honors and tying Harvard’s single-game touchdown reception record. He was invited to play in the Senior Bowl following his senior season. Ott graduated from Harvard in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a minor in Environmental Science and Public Policy.
Tyler Ott Career
Early NFL Career (2014-2016)
Tyler Ott entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the New England Patriots on May 16, 2014. He was released during training camp but was re-signed by the Patriots in March 2015 before being released again. Ott then signed with the St. Louis Rams on May 12, 2015, after a minicamp tryout but was waived during final roster cuts in September.
His breakthrough came when the New York Giants signed Ott to their active roster on December 31, 2015, after both starting long snappers Zak DeOssie and Danny Aiken suffered season-ending injuries. This made Ott the first Harvard Crimson football player to play for the Giants. He was waived in August 2016 but re-signed to the practice squad and later joined the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad in November 2016. Ott was promoted to the Bengals’ active roster and spent the remainder of the 2016 season with Cincinnati.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2017-2022)
Ott signed with the Seattle Seahawks on January 3, 2017, taking over long snapping duties after Nolan Frese was placed on injured reserve. He quickly became a reliable presence for the Seahawks, appearing in every game during his first two seasons with the team. On August 1, 2019, Ott signed a new four-year contract extension with Seattle, securing his position as the team’s long-term long snapping solution.
His best season came in 2020 when he was named the long snapper for the NFC team in the 2021 Pro Bowl, earning the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. The recognition highlighted his consistency and precision throughout the season. Ott remained Seattle’s starting long snapper through the 2022 season, appearing in 95 games with the Seahawks across six seasons. His tenure ended when he was placed on injured reserve on September 14, 2022.
Baltimore Ravens (2023)
Ott signed with the Baltimore Ravens on July 25, 2023, joining the team to replace Nick Moore, who had suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury during the offseason. He stepped into the starting long snapper role immediately and provided reliable snapping throughout the 2023 season, helping the Ravens’ special teams unit maintain consistency.
Washington Commanders Era (2024-Present)
Ott signed a three-year contract with the Washington Commanders on March 14, 2024. The move brought the veteran long snapper to Washington as the team looked to strengthen its special teams unit. In his first season with the Commanders in 2024, Ott served as the primary long snapper, working alongside the team’s coordinators to maintain consistency in the kicking game. He continues to serve in that role entering the 2025 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Tyler Ott has built his NFL career on consistency, reliability, and precision as a long snapper. His deliveries are known for their accuracy and consistency, particularly on field goal attempts and punts where timing and placement are critical. Ott has demonstrated the ability to perform under pressure in crucial game situations throughout his career. His durability has been a hallmark, appearing in 135 NFL games over 11 seasons.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
The highlight of Ott’s career came in 2020 when he was selected to the Pro Bowl as the NFC’s long snapper, recognition that rewarded years of consistent performance. He became the first Harvard Crimson player to play for the New York Giants when he was signed mid-season in 2015. Ott reached the milestone of 135 career NFL games played through the 2024 season, compiling 8 total tackles throughout his professional career.
Tyler Ott Career Wins
Tyler Ott’s career has been defined by sustained reliability rather than traditional statistical wins. As a long snapper, his contributions are measured in games played and consistency rather than individual statistics.
NFL Highlights
Ott’s most notable career achievement is his Pro Bowl selection in 2020, representing the NFC as the league’s top long snapper that season. He appeared in 95 games with the Seattle Seahawks across six seasons, making him one of the most durable long snappers in the league during that span. His mid-season signing with the New York Giants in 2015 demonstrated his ability to step in immediately and perform at a high level when called upon, as he was thrust into action due to injuries to both of the team’s primary long snappers.
College Achievements
At Harvard, Ott distinguished himself as both a long snapper and receiving tight end. His three-touchdown performance against Princeton in 2013 tied Harvard’s single-game touchdown reception record. He was named National Tight End of the Week following that performance and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, showcasing his versatility to NFL scouts.
Tyler Ott Family
Family Background
Tyler Ott was born to Dan Ott and Laurie Ott (now Applekamp) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His parents supported his multi-sport athletic pursuits throughout his youth, and Ott carried that versatility into his collegiate career at Harvard. The athletic background is evident in his ability to excel in multiple positions during his football career.
Personal Life
Ott graduated from Harvard University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a minor in Environmental Science and Public Policy. During his time at Harvard, he was a honorary member of the golf team and lived in Dunster House. He maintains a presence on social media. Ott was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and attended Jenks High School, maintaining connections to his Oklahoma roots throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Tyler Ott enters the 2025 NFL season in his second year with the Washington Commanders. Signed through 2027, Ott serves as the team’s primary long snapper and brings veteran experience to a Commanders special teams unit that has undergone changes during the offseason. His role includes providing consistent snapping on field goals, extra points, and punts while working closely with the team’s kicker and punter to maintain timing and chemistry.
The 2025 season marks Ott’s 12th year in the NFL, a testament to his durability and consistent performance at a position where precision is paramount. With 135 career games played, Ott continues to be a reliable presence in the league. The Commanders are building their roster with an eye toward competitiveness, and Ott’s steady hand at long snapper provides a foundation of reliability for the special teams unit. His experience from playing with multiple teams gives him a unique perspective that benefits his current unit as the season progresses.