Long-snapper Bay talks Mizzou commitment

Waiting was the hardest part for Adam Bay.

After attending Missouri's specialists camp in June, the long snapper from Mesa, Ariz., waited to hear if the Tigers would extend an offer. It isn't that common for a Power-5 team to over a long snapper out of high school, but Missouri will be in need of one for the 2017 season.

Four-year starter Jacob Hurrell, who arrived in Columbia as a preferred walk-on, graduates following this season.

"Coach (Jonathan) Rutledge reached out to me earlier last school year, asked me to come up to camp so he could evaluate me," Bay said. "I did, I went to camp, and that's where it all started off.

"It's really uncommon for a long snapper to get offered early in the game, especially from an SEC powerhouse like them."

On Friday, Bay's wait ended. Rutledge, a special teams analyst, and Barry Odom spoke with him on the phone to extend an offer.

Bay committed on the spot.

"My coach kind of told me beforehand (that Missouri was offering)," Bay said. "I talked to my parents and told them that's the place I wanted to be, and to make sure it was OK if I committed when they offered on the phone.

"I committed right on the phone to Coach Odom."

Besides Missouri, Bay had offers from Wyoming, Memphis and New Mexico State. He said Virginia could also be close to offering.

For Bay, the decision wasn't hard.

"I've always had dreams of playing in the SEC since I was a little kid," Bay said. "I'm in Pac-12 country, but I grew up watching SEC football. Just liked the way they treat football. I like the weather up there in Missouri, the change of seasons. They have the major (veterinary program) I want to be in. It's just an appealing school."

Specialists who get offers out of high school are typically under more pressure to perform early. That's the hope for Bay, as he's now supposed to pick up where Hurrell leaves off.

"I'm excited for my first game with them," Bay said. "I'm just focusing on getting bigger, stronger, faster until then."