There was no place but Nebraska for York’s Garrett Snodgrass. He graces the cover of the February issue of Hail Varsity, which looks at Nebraska’s two in-state signees that chose not to enroll early. But both are expected to make big impacts once they arrive on campus in Lincoln.
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We have often heard from Nebraska’s coaching staff that they desire athletes that played multiple sports in high school. Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander explained last summer why he and the staff prefer multi-sport athletes versus players that choose to specialize and train the rest of the year.
“Number one, the multi-sport athlete has played a lot of different positions,” Chinander said at the time. “If you’re a multiple sport guy, you can take coaching, you can play multiple positions and have developed multiple skills and that translates better.
“The thing that I love about multi-sport athletes is they’re always competing. It’s not just the guys that compete in football and then ‘train’ for the rest of the year. I like guys that are going to compete in everything that they do all the time and all year round.”
The description that Chinander laid out fits linebacker signee Garrett Snodgrass well. The York standout has been a three-sport star during his time in high school, playing football, basketball and running track. Like Chinander, Snodgrass sees the benefit of multiple sports too.
“Basketball helps my lateral quickness and stamina and being an explosive athlete,” Snodgrass told Hail Varsity. “Track is pretty much the same way. The footwork I need for my discus throws and obviously straight-forward sprinting. Track helps a lot with that. They keep me busy and it keeps my body working and helps me improve overall as an athlete.”
As he transitions to college, Snodgrass will start his career with Barrett Ruud at inside linebacker. Having played linebacker, tight end and quarterback during his time at York, there was a conversation with the staff about what position he might play for Nebraska.
“We sat down and had a meeting, I told them I don’t care what position I play,” Snodgrass said. “I just want to make an impact. I’d like to know what you guys think I should be working on and what you position you think I’ll have the most impact here. They said linebacker because with the previous staff I could play tight end in that offense. In that offense the tight ends are involved in a different way. They needed more linebackers with this staff.
“I’m good with whatever. I’m excited to play linebacker, it’ll be a lot of fun.”
Having always focused on multiple sports, Snodgrass is ready to focus. Not only that, he’s ready to focus on one position within football too.
“I’m really excited for that,” he said. “That’s one of things I’m really excited for. Really just playing one sport. I love all the sports I play but it’ll be cool to focus on one position and sport.
“I’m interested to see how much I can improve when I put my attention on one position and one sport.”
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
