Raynor Joins New York Jets
August 11, 2011 | Football
Aug. 11, 2011
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Former East Carolina long snapper and three-time All-Conference USA performer Wilson Raynor has signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets, according to a confirmation by the National Football League organization.
A Dunn (N.C.) native who prepped at Triton High School and spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy, Raynor exhausted his eligibility with the Pirates following the 2008 campaign. His ECU career included participation in 51 games, which at that time was the most ever by an individual in program history.
Raynor played an integral role in four last-play, game-winning field goals during his final two campaigns, including two in overtime as a senior, when he was an honorable mention all-league choice. During his last season, Raynor did not have a bad snap in 71 punts, 35 field-goal attempts and 37 points after touchdowns. He played in all 14 games and was credited with a pair of special teams tackles. His abilities allowed the Pirates to end the year ranked second nationally in field goals per game (1.6) and ninth in net punting average (37.9 yards).
As a junior in 2007, Raynor served as East Carolina's top deep snapper on punts and extra points, playing in all 13 games. He was an honorable mention all-league selection and was flawless on 80 punt attempts, 22 field-goal tries and 50 PATs. Raynor helped punter, and current New York Giant, Matt Dodge (3,307 yards) place 24 punts inside the 20-yard line and rank fifth in C-USA punting average (41.3 yards). Raynor also snapped on both of ECU all-time leading scorer Ben Hartman's time-expiring game-winning field goals, including the clincher against Boise State in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.
Raynor experienced action in 13 games as a sophomore, earning All-C-USA honorable mention accolades. His clean snaps helped punter Ryan Dougherty, a current Pirate special teams staff assistant, become the league's all-time leader in punt yards with 10,112. Raynor successful snapped for 51 punts, 28 field goals and 31 PATs.
Once arriving from Hargrave, Raynor provided consistent and unmatched service as team's top deep snapper as a freshman in 2005. He booked 59 error-free deliveries while playing a key role in the team's 40.1 yard punting average, which also included 20 boots placed inside the 20-yard line.
