By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Former Central Catholic and Illinois State long snapper Chris Highland recalls being called to the coaches office when he was in training camp with the New Orleans Saints and knowing what was about to happen next.

“You know what’s coming. You’re not getting called in for a pay raise,” Highland quipped, but said the meeting with head coach Sean Payton was all positive.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Highland on WJBC.

“(Peyton) said ‘The one thing I can you is you need to keep at this, because sooner of later you time will come and you are going to be the guys and it’s going to be your turn to snap for along time in the NFL. That’s how the carousel works’, ” Highland said.

Highland was waived earlier this week, days after playing in his first NFL preseason game.

He told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin competing in training camp gave him valuable experience that could help him sign with a another team.

“Without this building block, I’m not sure other teams would have taken a chance on me down the road,” Highland said. “You have to get your game film out there. You have to be able to snap with some pads on against NFL-caliber players.”

Highland was a two-time All-American long snapper at Illinois State. For now, he’s working as a sports photographer at WMBD.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].