Long snapper's unlikely college climb brings hometown hope, even if NFL dream ends here

Campbell County High School graduate Colton Peoples participated in the Bengals Local Players' Workout Day on Tuesday.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:07pm

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A fragmented, multi-angled painting depicting a football player in the act of long snapping, with the ball and player's uniform broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors.A cubist interpretation of a long snapper's explosive motion, capturing the raw athleticism and determination required to excel at the specialized position.Cincinnati Today

Colton Peoples, a 2022 graduate of Campbell County High School in Kentucky, has taken an unlikely path to the NFL, working his way up from a long snapper at Division II Notre Dame College to starting long snapper roles at Tennessee-Martin and Washington State. Despite the odds, Peoples participated in the Bengals' Local Players' Workout Day this week, giving him hope to make it to the professional level even if his NFL dream doesn't ultimately come true.

Why it matters

Peoples' story highlights the determination and perseverance required for an athlete to make it to the highest levels of college football, even when starting from a smaller program. His journey also provides inspiration to other local players who may be overlooked but are willing to work hard for a chance at the NFL.

The details

Peoples played tight end, defensive end, and long snapper at Campbell County High School. Realizing he wasn't big or fast enough to play offense or defense in college, he focused on long snapping, eventually earning a spot at Division II Notre Dame College. After a successful freshman season there, he transferred to Tennessee-Martin, a Division I FCS program, where he started for two years and helped the team win a conference championship and make the FCS playoffs. In 2025, Peoples landed at Washington State, an FBS program, and started all 13 games as their long snapper, including a win in the Idaho Potato Bowl.

  • Peoples participated in the Bengals Local Players' Workout Day on Tuesday, April 16, 2026.
  • Peoples attended a Bengals game with his dad at Paycor Stadium when he was 12 years old, on September 29, 2016.
  • Peoples began long snapping in middle school in Pendleton County before moving to Campbell County prior to his freshman year of high school.
  • Peoples was ranked as the top long snapper in Kentucky and a top 100 long snapper in the country during his senior year of high school in 2022.
  • Peoples started as the long snapper at Notre Dame College as a true freshman in 2022.

The players

Colton Peoples

A 2022 graduate of Campbell County High School in Kentucky who has taken an unlikely path to the NFL, working his way up from a long snapper at Division II Notre Dame College to starting long snapper roles at Tennessee-Martin and Washington State.

John Ferlmann

A long snapper from Ohio State who Peoples competed against at the Bengals Local Players' Workout Day.

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What they’re saying

“I haven't been to a Bengals game since I was like 12 years old and looking up into the stadium I can see exactly where I sat. Came and watched them play the (Miami) Dolphins (on Sept. 29, 2016) with my dad. It's surreal.”

— Colton Peoples, Campbell County High School graduate

“I didn't take it super serious until the end of my senior year of high school. I went to a few camps and got ranked No. 1 in Kentucky my senior year and top 100 in the country. That's when I thought maybe this is what I'm going to do. I wasn't big enough or fast enough to play offense or defense in college, so I decided I'm more than athletic enough to play long snapper.”

— Colton Peoples, Campbell County High School graduate

“My first career snap I got a solo tackle. It was pretty amazing. My ego was real high for about a week until I got put on my butt in the next game against Missouri State. That brought me back down fast.”

— Colton Peoples, Tennessee-Martin long snapper

“I played at Georgia and Kansas State, but by far the best atmosphere was at Montana State in 2024. The place was packed, the atmosphere was great, and even though we lost it was a great time.”

— Colton Peoples, Tennessee-Martin long snapper

“It does give me confidence competing against guys that I used to see on Instagram and Twitter and going, 'that guy is really good.' Coming here and competing with John Ferlmann from Ohio State, who is a really good snapper, it makes me realize I can be here.”

— Colton Peoples, Campbell County High School graduate

What’s next

If Peoples impresses the Bengals coaching staff during the workout, he could earn an invitation to the team's training camp or a spot on their practice squad. However, even if his NFL dream doesn't come true, Peoples' journey has already inspired his hometown and shown that determination and hard work can lead to unexpected opportunities.

The takeaway

Colton Peoples' story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up on your dreams, no matter how unlikely they may seem. His climb from a small-town high school to competing at the highest levels of college football has already brought hope and inspiration to his community, and even if his NFL aspirations don't materialize, his journey will continue to motivate others who are striving to defy the odds.