Coach Bobby Petrino picked up a commitment from up and coming 2019 FL TE Sam Snyder last night, July 6th.
Next chapter is… pic.twitter.com/UFQJfNek8c
— Sam Snyder (@samsnydersss) July 7, 2018
Snyder a 6’5 215 lbs TE, plays for Fleming Island High School and resides in Orange Park, FL. Fleming chose UofL over offers from Maryland, Air Force, and Wake Forest, among others. In the past couple of months, offers really started to roll in for the athletic TE.
Measurables:
- Height: 6’5
- Weight: 215
- 40 Time: 4.59
- Vertical: 40 inches
- Bench: 270
*stats provided by Hudl and 247sports
Snyder is an interesting player. He actually played primarily OT before switching to TE.
In watching his highlights as an OT, he’s a powerful blocker. He manhandles defenders at the point of attack and drives them to the ground. He displayed good footwork and technique on passing plays to keep defenders in front of him. This will translate well to the TE position, making him an every down TE.
Despite being only 215 lbs at 6’5, Snyder is incredibly strong and the scary thing is he will likely add strength in college. He really bullied defenders as a blocker and was able to use his long arms to keep them at bay. It will be like having an extra OT when he’s in at TE.
It’s easy to see in his highlights why he’s now playing TE and being recruited as such. I mean, he’s 6’5, runs a 4.59 40 yard dash, has a 40 inch vertical, possesses excellent hands, and he’s a good blocker to boot.
Snyder is a huge target for any QB. With his speed he can get by most any S or LB who would likely match up with him in coverage, making him a match up nightmare. If a CB tries to cover him, good luck. At 6’5 with his 40 inch vertical, you aren’t stopping him from making the catch.
Snyder is good at tracking the ball through the air and he catches the ball with his hands rather than trapping it against his body. If a ball is under or overthrown, he shown ability to adjust to the pass and make the catch. He’s a perfect target to throw jump balls to as, as previously mentioned, he can out jump most LBs or DBs. That, and of course, his long, go-go gadget arms that come with his 6’5 frame allow him to out reach them as well.
Route running is good for Snyder, but it’s something I think he can improve upon. Most highlights he’s just using his superior athleticism, which is considerable. However, if he improves his route running more, he could go from a really good to elite TE. Being as he just recently started playing TE full-time, I really have no doubt this progression will happen as he learns the position.
Despite possessing a natural strength despite his somewhat thin frame, Snyder will need to add some weight and strength to be ready for the rigors of the ACC. With UofL’s strength and conditioning staff, I don’t foresee it being a problem for Snyder.
Snyder is a guy that’s really just begun to pop up on the radar nationally. He’s a prototypical Bobby Petrino sleeper athlete. Watching his highlights and seeing his measurables, there’s doubt why Petrino wanted him. He’s played as a primary blocker before becoming a TE; he’s 6’5, long, and extremely athletic; he’s strong for his size, and can easily get stronger; and he’s got an extremely high ceiling as a player.
Snyder has the potential to be an every down TE for UofL and a major weapon for Puma Pass and whoever shall follow him at QB.
