Alum Ross Reiter Keeps NFL Dream Alive with the USFL

6/21/2023

Alum Ross Reiter ‘18 recently completed his first season playing professionally with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL.

“It has really been cool and a privilege and a blessing to finally get an opportunity to get some experience at this level,” said Reiter, who was the starting long snapper. “The key right now as a specialist to getting in and playing is experience. It has been good to get some tape in the league.”

Reiter was the No. 2-rated long snapper in the nation out of Brophy College Prep in 2018, playing under Scooter Molander. He earned second-team All-America honors in 2017, as well as all-state recognition in both 2016 and 2017. After committing to Colorado State, Reiter played four seasons at CSU, earning national recognition as a Rubio Long Snapping All-American and a Mannelly Award (Top Long Snapper) Watch List candidate. He also garnered All-Mountain West honors.

“Colorado State was awesome,” said Reiter. “It is a beautiful state, and Ft. Collins is awesome. I had a few coaching changes over the years but got to play every game. I got to play with good players, including the best punter in college football history (Ryan Stonehouse/Tennessee Titans). It was great for me and my development on and off the field.”

Following graduation, he was invited to camp with the New England Patriots last summer but did not make the team.

“When I got released from New England, they wanted to go with the veteran,” said Reiter. “There were four other opportunities last year where teams told me they loved me as a snapper, but I had no tape to go from.”

When the Gamblers called, he saw the opportunity to get the experience and game tape to help build his career and create future opportunities.

“I was not even thinking about playing in a league like the USFL,” said Reiter, who still livers in Phoenix. “When they called, I decided I did not want to have any regrets. It has been good for me and my journey back to the NFL.”

The Gamblers went 5-5 in the South Division this season, while Reiter was the starting snapper adding three solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and one forced fumble.

“Our punt and field goal operation has been good,” said Reiter before the regular season finale last week. “We just kept continuing stacking games for guys to put the best version of ourselves out there. Every time you go out there, it is an interview for the league.”

He has the tape now from 10 games in the USFL and hopes to get another chance with an NFL team.

Thank you to @USFL and @USFLGamblers organization for the opportunity to keep chasing my dream! Nothing but love for the staff, coaches, and my teammates! #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/O1DPHzETOR
— Ross Reiter (@reiterr50) June 20, 2023