CEDAR CITY, Utah — Southern Utah long snapper Gavin Lipkin is set to take the next step in his football career.
The senior has been invited to rookie minicamps with both the Las Vegas Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings, giving him a pair of opportunities to compete for a spot in their organizations. Lipkin will attend the Raiders' minicamp first before traveling to Minnesota the following week.
"Getting an opportunity with both the Raiders and the Vikings means everything to me," Lipkin said. "I've put a lot of work into mastering my craft at Southern Utah, and now it's about taking advantage of every rep, every snap, and showing I can compete at the highest level. I'm just grateful for the chance and ready to show them what I can do and make Cedar City proud."
A Las Vegas native, Lipkin's first stop brings him back home, where he played at Arbor View High School before joining Southern Utah University.
Lipkin has been a steady presence for the Thunderbirds throughout his career, appearing in every game since 2022. In his senior season, he earned Preseason All-UAC honors, was named a Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-UAC selection, and finished the year with Second Team All-UAC recognition. He also excelled in the classroom, earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors and being named an Academic All-America finalist.
Head Coach DeLane Fitzgerald Said
"Gavin is everything you want in a specialist. He's consistent, tough, and reliable. His work ethic has helped him to grow over the last four years here at SUU. He's put in his best effort day in and day out, and this opportunity with both the Raiders and the Vikings is a direct result of that. We're proud of him and excited to see him go compete and represent Southern Utah at the next level."
During the 2024 season, Lipkin played in all 12 games and recorded five tackles while continuing to anchor Southern Utah's special teams' unit. He earned All-UAC Second Team and Academic All-UAC honors, reinforcing his reputation as one of the conference's most dependable long snappers both on the field and in the classroom.
His accuracy on both punt and field goal snaps helped keep the Thunderbirds' special teams unit running smoothly, and his effort in coverage consistently helped with field position. Lipkin was a huge part of the battery that allowed kicker Jayden Rogers to set a school record for PAT's made in a single season, going 48-for-48 during the 2026 campaign.
Now, Lipkin will look to carry that consistency into the NFL, with back-to-back opportunities to prove himself, starting in Las Vegas and continuing in Minnesota.
Tickets
Season tickets for the upcoming Southern Utah Football campaign are now available, giving fans the chance to lock in their seats for an exciting new era in Cedar City. With the Thunderbirds set to begin their transition into the Big Sky Conference, now is the time to secure your spot at Eccles Coliseum and be part of the action all season long. For more information and to purchase, visit tbirdtickets.com.
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