Family matters: Ohio State long snapper Mason Arnold leans on his twin and parents
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Ohio State's special teams have been quietly and consistently good this season. That's true despite the fact that seventh-year senior long snapper Bradley Robinson injured a knee while covering a punt against Iowa.
Ask Bengals fans how costly an injury at that position can be. When Cincinnati's Clark Harris went down in the season opener, third-string tight end Mitchell Wilcox took over and delivered a fluttering snap that allowed the Steelers to block an extra point that would have allowed the Bengals to win the game. Instead, they fell in overtime.
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But OSU had Mason Arnold ready when Robinson was hurt. Arnold, a second-year player from Tampa, Florida, was rated the No. 6 rated long snapper in the nation as a senior by Kornblue Kicking. He was also a wrestler at Carrollwood Day High School and won a state championship during his undefeated senior season.
His first start for OSU came in windy conditions at Northwestern, but the Buckeyes so far have shown no drop-off with Mason snapping the ball.
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Week 7: Javontae Jean-Baptiste is Ohio State's very own "Riddler."
Week 8: Enokk Vimahi thinks OSU's emphasis on mental health "saved me."
Week 10: Ronnie Hickman shows versatility, breaks down everything from Drake to Oreos
Get to know Ohio State long snapper Mason Arnold
What is the recruiting process like for a long snapper as opposed to, say, that of a star quarterback?
When I was getting recruited, it was the fall of 2020. So my senior year it was a recruiting dead period, no visits allowed, no nothing. It was obviously during the COVID season. Recruiting was very slow for specialists in my class, just because you weren't allowed to take visits. Nobody was allowed to see you in person perform for them. That made it very difficult for recruiting in general for my recruiting term. I didn't really start picking up traction until, I think, October of 2020, and that was pretty difficult. Trusted God through the whole process, and that's all I've got to say about that.
Being a specialist is unique, so I imagine the recruitment of a specialist is unique, too. Then throw that in the middle of COVID, that had to be crazy.
It was very difficult, yeah. Being a specialist and getting recruited as a specialist, you obviously have to go to different camps and whatnot and perform well at certain camps. That's how you get your name out there and say that you're 'one of the top guys in the country.' Coach Matt Barnes, when he was here, he reached out to me and my family, and I thought that was such a blessing.
How did you occupy your time when the world was shut down due to COVID?
I feel like I was able to get closer with my family. I feel after COVID – I have a twin sister, by the way – and I feel like after COVID and through COVID, my sister and I just got so much closer. We just became such best friends. She is still my best friend, and she actually lives with me here and goes to Ohio State. She transferred from the University of Florida this past year, and she wanted to be here with me because we are so close and best friends.
How did you get closer during the pandemic?
All school was virtual, so you weren't allowed to go to school. So we were at home, hanging out, watching movies and doing whatever. She's my best friend. That was it.
What's her name?
Sophia Arnold.
You hear about twins sharing, like, a mental link. Is that really a thing?
Oh, yeah. I believe so. I know people joke about it all the time, but we think of a lot of the same ideas, and we do think of a lot of things on the spot. I think it's hilarious. But that is very true, yes.
Do you have any other brothers and sisters?
No. Just my twin.
Has there ever been a period where it was tough being a twin? Where you thought, 'Oh, no. Sophia is just around too much.'
I wouldn't say so. I feel like we always had each other's backs in any situation, and it didn't matter what was going on between us, we always had each other's backs and always stood up for each other. I do love her for that.
Does she play any sports?
She's not. She's just a student here at The Ohio State University.
But does she ever help you with your long snapping?
No. I never really bring her to the field when I'm going to train. It's usually just my dad and I. But my sister is such a big supporter of mine. She helps a lot. She's a big part of my support system, and I can't thank her enough for that.
Who else is in your support system?
So I have my mom and my dad, Gina Arnold and Scott Arnold. My parents, love them both so much.
That's so cool that you're so close to your family.
Love my family.
What's your favorite thing to do with your family?
My family, we're big scary movie people. So I would say watching a scary movie with my family.
Who's the one who jumps?
I would probably say my sister.
Do you have a favorite scary movie?
You know what's always good but wasn't very great this year was the Halloween movie. But the ones that came out a few years ago? "Halloween" movies are always great. Michael Myers. Love those.
So is Halloween your favorite holiday, or is there another you like even more?
I absolutely love Christmas just because we get all the family together. Christmas decorations are super festive. Love that season so much, just because family is together, and in Florida it's a little cooler.
What's the best Christmas present you've ever gotten?
Off the top of my head, from years ago when I was still a child – I'm a big "Star Wars" fan – and my mom got me a full, real-sized replica lightsaber of Darth Maul's lightsaber, the double-sided one. I remember getting that from my parents, and I thought that was the coolest gift ever.
And what's the best present you've ever given?
I wouldn't say I've given out lavish gifts, but maybe a cute picture I've printed out of my mom and I, or wrote her, like, a special note or something. Definitely something more sentimental than something material.
Do you have any hobbies?
Well, since moving to Ohio and living here, I realized everybody loves to golf. Never golfed in my life, and this past summer, my friends here and I have been golfing a lot. They taught me how to golf, and I feel that's a new hobby of mine that I really enjoy now.
Do you have any pets?
I don't have a pet. When I was younger, when I was in high school, my sister and I had a little bunny. So cute.
What was its name?
Bun Bun. Loved Bun Bun.
Now I'm sure, being from Florida, you've probably seen some crazy animal in the wild, right?
Probably. I was paintballing once in the woods, and I saw a water moccasin. That was kind of scary. And we alerted the staff of the paintball place we were at, and he came out with this big machete.
Paintball style: Running Rambo style at your opponent or hide and snipe?
If you're not looking to get out very quickly, you've got to get some cover and take your shots wisely.
I like the way you think.
Right?
Since you took over long snapping duties, have you received an NIL deal?
Nothing at the moment. We did our thing with Express thanks to C.J. (Stroud). That was very neat. But nothing at the moment. Just going to work every day here and doing my job. That's all I can do right now.
Are you a fashionista who knew exactly what you wanted to do with that $500, or did you need some help?
Actually, my mom was in town for that, so I went to the mall with her, and she kind of knew what I liked ... so she picked out the best-looking suit that looked good on me, and that was it.
Have you worn it other than on the walk over to the stadium yet?
That time will come.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Meet Ohio State long snapper Mason Arnold
