Quick: name the OU football player who has more starts than anyone else on the team.

It's not as easy as one may think. The answer is senior deep snapper Jacob Rice.

"My father taught me the only skill in football he had," Rice said. "He had a friend in college who was a deep snapper. My dad never played football, but he taught me how to be a deep snapper when I was in fourth grade."

Going into this year, Rice had not made one errant snap in his entire career. The streak came to an end on a snap to sophomore punter Cody Freeby against Texas.

"It killed me," Rice said. "Freeby made a great save and got off a spectacular punt. He really saved me on that one."

Jacob Rice, long snapper



o Rice has yet to miss a game, or even a special teams snap, since his freshman season in 2002.



o At Norman High School, Rice played tight end, long snapper, linebacker and defensive end.

Barely anyone knows the name of a deep snapper unless he doesn't do his job right.

Rice won't make headlines, but he's an invaluable security blanket on special teams.

"He gets taken for granted," special teams coach Kevin Sumlin said. "He's always productive and is really good at what he does."

Some football players live for the spotlight while others, like Rice, prefer to just contribute their part to the team.

"Everybody has to do a job, and this is mine," he said. "I love my job. I take great pride in what I do, and I love being under the radar. I like going out and being among everyone else. No one really notices me."

Sumlin said Rice has succeeded in his goal to be discreet.

"He's an unsung hero," Sumlin said. "If he does his job right, no one will know who he is."

Rice said he has been blessed to have played in three BCS bowl games in his career, playing in the Rose Bowl game his freshman year, the Sugar Bowl his sophomore season and last year in the Orange Bowl.

Rice hasn't always been Mr. Anonymous.

"I played tight end in high school, but I grew to love the deep snapper position," he said. "When I found out Coach Stoops said I could start in that position if I proved myself, that was all the motivation I needed."

Playing at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is a natural fit for Rice.

"I remember growing up and selling cokes at the stadium when I was 12 years old," he said. "I have no regrets at all. I'm from Norman and went to Norman High School. This has been a dream come true."

Rice looks to continue making perfect snaps as OU travels to Texas Tech on Saturday.
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