SLIPPERY ROCK — Long-snapping has been taken off Bob Vernick's hands.

That's OK. The Butler graduate and junior Slippery Rock University linebacker will be plenty busy on the football field regardless.

Vernick will be in charge of calling out plays for the defense. He is one of The Rock's best run-stoppers and will drop into coverage at times as well.

“He's one of our veterans on that side of the ball now and he knows we're counting on him,” SRU coach George Mihalik said.

Actually, Vernick has been counted on for a while now — and he's delivered.

Vernick was fourth on the team in tackles as a sophomore with 67. That included 3.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback sack, an interception, three pass break-ups and three quarterback hits.

And Vernick did all of that despite missing two full games and most of a third with a concussion.

“I got hurt early in the game up at Michigan,” Vernick recalled. “I think I was tied with (Austin) Miele for the team lead in tackles at the time.”

Rock defensive coordinator Shawn Lutz said the injury likely cost Vernick All-PSAC recognition.

“Bobby was having that kind of season. He's such a versatile linebacker,” Lutz said. “We can use his skill-set in so many different ways.”

Vernick lists all-conference and being among The Rock's tackle leaders among his goals this coming season. He welcomes the challenge of getting the defensive play call made to his teammates before the ball is snapped.

In this age of quick, up-tempo offenses, that's not easy.

“No offense runs faster than ours, though,” Vernick said, smiling. “I get a lot of practice in that area during the week.”

An exercise science major, Vernick is carrying a 3.5 grade point average at SRU. He's hoping to get into medical school at some point.

“There's book smarts and football smarts,” Mihalik said. “This kid has both. He's never going to be that holler guy, the rah-rah type — that's just not who he is — but he leads by example with his physical play.”

Lutz described Vernick's play on the field as “rugged” and admitted he hopes the linebacker does get a little more vocal this fall.

“He's such an intelligent player ... He reads what the play is going to be almost before the opposing team snaps the ball,” Lutz said. “Knowing how a play is set up before they run the play is something he can communicate to his teammates.

“Bob's got the physical intangibles, the strength and quickness. He is one of our veteran players on that side of the ball. He senses that and he's welcoming the challenge that comes with that. Add that to the physical skills, his reads and recognition ... He could really have a big year.”

Lutz said Vernick, fellow returnee Mike Grata and Youngstown State transfer middle linebacker Teven Williams “could comprise the best set of linebackers in the conference, if not the country.”

The key to The Rock defensively this fall will be more consistent play.

“We gave up the big play too much last year,” Vernick said. “Eliminating that is one of our goals.”

With Vernick serving as SRU's long-snapper last year, the team did not have a punt blocked.

This year, however, the long-snapping duties will belong to sophomore Garret MacFarland.

“Garret's shown he can do it and that will give Bobby more time to rest,” Lutz said.

Vernick will be ready nonetheless.

“I can still snap it if they need me,” he said.

He will be “snapping to” either way.

“Bob Vernick is a blue-collar football player,” Mihalik said. “My father was a miner and I don't throw that term out often in describing a football player.

“But it describes him.”