The Cleveland Browns signed their second long snapper on Thursday. They added Rex Sunahara, a Northeast Ohio native.
On Thursday, the Cleveland Browns announced the signing of long snapper Rex Sunahara. Sunahara is from Northeast Ohio, having attended and played football for Bay Village. To clear roster space, the Browns waived cornerback Faion Hicks.
Sunahara has participated in the league since 2020. He has played in both the NFL and what is now known as the United Football League. He made his professional debut with the Miami Dolphins in 2020. He then went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Antonio Brahmas in the United Football League.
Sunahara sees the Browns as a homecoming, as Bay Village is a suburb on Cleveland’s west side. Sunahara, a 6’6″ long snapper, had played wide receiver and defensive back for the Bay Rockets before committing to Rhode Island. He started as a long snapper for the Rams and also tried out for the basketball team. He transferred to West Virginia to pursue his football career.
The Browns’ current long snapper is Charley Hughlett. He is the Browns’ second longest-tenured player, after only guard Joel Bitonio. Hughlett has a minor ailment and could miss Saturday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. Sunahara is an insurance policy in case Hughlett is unable to go.
If Sunahara grew up a Browns fan, you can’t help but root for him to have a chance to long snap for the team. Hughlett has been an unwavering presence for the Browns over the last ten seasons. Unless Hughlett suffers a serious injury or decides to retire, this may be Sunahara’s lone opportunity to long snap for his local side. If Hughlett is healthy, the team will want to take advantage of that roster spot. They may even resign Hicks.
Hicks was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft. The Denver Broncos selected him from the University of Wisconsin. The Florida native has been on practice squads for the Broncos, the New Orleans Saints in 2023, and now the Browns. Hicks has yet to play in a regular-season game.
Saturday evening, at 8 p.m. local time, the Browns host the Packers at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns have a large number of players they want to analyze before the season begins. Nonetheless, it can be an excellent occasion to hear a humorous story like Sunahara’s. Two other Cleveland-area athletes may make their Browns debut this preseason. The team’s top pick in this year’s draft, defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., will receive the majority of the spotlight. He attended Streetsboro High School. Justin Hardee, a special teams ace, went to Glenville High School.
