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Notre Dame LS Michael Vinson becomes first ever AFCA First-Team All-American long snapper

IMG_9992by:Tyler Horka•12/14/22•

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notre dame michael vinson
Notre Dame long snapper Michael Vinson. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Notre Dame long snapper Michael Vinson made history Wednesday. Only one nationally-recognized organization, The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), includes the position of long snapper on its All-America teams, and 2022 was the first year of its inclusion.

Vinson was named the first-ever AFCA First-Team All-American long snapper.

Vinson was a semifinalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, which is given annually to the best long snapper in college football. Notre Dame special teams coordinator Brian Mason spoke glowingly of Vinson, who announced his decision to return to South Bend for a graduate season in 2023 last week, this past weekend.

“He helps out all the time,” Mason said. “He’s in the office a ton. he watches a lot of film. You just can’t easily replace somebody like that, especially because we have a young group. We brought in some grad transfers because we had a young group. We lose those grad transfers and we have a young group again. Milk coming in keeps that experience and leadership that we really need. It’s going to be invaluable.” 

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Vinson was joined on the AFCA All-America teams by four of his Irish teammates; senior defensive end Isaiah Foskey earned first-team honors while graduate student offensive guard Jarrett Patterson, junior tight end Michael Mayer and sophomore offensive tackle Joe Alt landed on the second team.

There are five nationally-recognized All-America teams; the AFCA, The Sporting News, the Associated Press, Walter Camp and Football Writers Association of America. First-team recognition by three of the five garners a player consensus All-American status. Mayer was the only Irish player this season to reach that status.

Here’s a look at every Notre Dame player who took home accolades from the five nationally-recognized outlets for the 2022 season.

Isaiah Foskey

  • 2022 AFCA First-Team All-American
  • 2022 Walter Camp First-Team All-American
  • 2022 The Sporting News Second-Team All-American
  • 2022 Associated Press Second-Team All-American
  • 2022 FWAA Second-Team All-American

Joe Alt

  • 2022 Associated Press First-Team All-American
  • 2022 AFCA Second-Team All-American
  • 2002 The Sporting News Second-Team All-American
  • 2022 FWAA Second-Team All-American
  • 2022 Walter Camp Second-Team All-American

Michael Mayer

  • 2022 The Sporting News First-Team All-American
  • 2022 Associated Press First-Team All-American
  • 2022 Walter Camp First-Team All-American
  • 2022 AFCA Second-Team All-American
  • 2022 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Second-Team All-American

Jarrett Patterson

  • 2022 AFCA Second-Team All-American

Michael Vinson

  • 2022 AFCA First-Team All-American

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