Snyder a tough, physical walk-on for Iowa
West Lyon safety Jaden Snyder had a tough decision but in the end felt most comfortable at the University of Iowa. Today, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Snyder decided to turn down full ride offers from several FCS programs to join the Hawkeyes as a preferred walk-on. We caught up with his head football coach, Jay Rozeboom, to talk about what type of player Iowa is getting.
Q: What type of player is Jaden?
ROZEBOOM: He is a really tough, physical, smart kid. He is just like Monte (Pottebaum). Those two guys are extremely sound in the weight room. They have that work ethic and they both understand football. They both get it.
Q: How rare is it to get athletes at the high school level who get what it takes to be successful?ROZEBOOM: We have been really fortunate over the years to have quite a few of them. These guys get it, plus they are physically gifted.
Q: What is he trying to improve on at this point?
ROZEBOOM: He wants to get bigger, faster, and stronger to get ready for that level. As far as getting the schemes, I don’t worry about that one bit with them picking up the schemes.
Q: Where does he project out position wise?
ROZEBOOM: Jaden would start out as a safety, but he could play linebacker as well. I think it will be one of those spots.
Q: Do you think having his brother at Iowa played a role in his decision?
ROZEBOOM: I think it might factor in, but he is trying to make a decision based on what he wants to do.
Q: Does having a former high school teammate in Monte Pottebaum committed to walk-on factor in as well?
ROZEBOOM: I think they both get along very well, but they are both making their own decisions as far as that goes.
Q: What stood out about Iowa to him in recruiting?
ROZEBOOM: It is just a step up. Everything is a little bit bigger.
Q: How is he as a leader?
ROZEBOOM: He is good. He is a quieter type of kid. He leads best by example. When he says something, everyone jumps.
Q: What role did he play for you?
ROZEBOOM: He was our quarterback and did a great job making decision with throwing and running the ball. We had a key injury this summer and he had to pick up the load a little bit with running the ball more than he would have thought. He did a great job with it. Defensively, he was in our secondary making calls and adjustments.
Q: How is he similar and different from his older brother, Brandon?
ROZEBOOM: He is a little bit bigger at this time, a little taller. They are both highly intelligent and competitive. They are similar in a lot of ways. Brandon talks all the time while Jaden is a little quieter. He is more reserved.
Snyder chose the walk-on opportunity at Iowa over scholarship offers at South Dakota, South Dakota State, and Northern Iowa.
As a senior, Snyder finished this season with 32 tackles and four interceptions on defense to go along with 1,451 yards passing and 627 yards rushing with a total of 34 touchdowns on offense.
See highlights from his senior year at West Lyon in the video below.
Iowa's Class of 2018 walk-ons:
Colton Dinsdale- 6-foot-0, 212-pound LB from Reinbeck, IA (Iowa Western)
Nick Anderson- 6-foot-3, 230-pound LB from Waukee, IA (Iowa Western)
Matt Fagan- 6-foot-5, 265-pound OL from Council Bluffs, IA (St. Albert)
Turner Pallissard- 6-foot-2, 220-pound FB from Frankfort, IL (Lincoln-Way East)
Blair Brooks- 6-foot-3, 190-pound WR from Marion, IA (Marion)
Connor Ruth- 6-foot-0, 215-pound FB from Seward, NE (Seward)
Kordell Stillmunkes- 5-foot-9, 180-pound WR from Cuba City, WI (Cuba City)
Luke Empen- 6-foot-7, 230-pound TE from Goose Lake, IA (Northeast)
Mitchell Riggs- 6-foot-2, 215-pound LB from West Des Moines, IA (Dowling)
Kyle Sorensen- 6-foot-6, 250-pound OL from Waukee, IA (Waukee)
Nathan Nelson- 6-foot-4, 230-pound DE from Waukee, IA (Waukee)
Mike Timm- 6-foot-1, 220-pound LB from Wales, WI (Kettle Moraine)
John Carlson- 6-foot-4, 190-pound LB from Bondurant, IA (Bondurant-Farrar)
Joe Evans- 6-foot-3, 210-pound LB from Ames, IA (Ames)
Brian Sadler- 6-foot-2, 280-pound OL from Jesup, IA (Jesup)
Jake Morrison- 6-foot-3, 215-pound LB from Waukee, IA (Waukee)
Ben Subbert- 6-foot-4, 235-pound TE from Williamsburg, IA (Williamsburg)
Trey Winters - 6-foot-6, 305-pound OL from Ankeny, IA (Centennial)
Monte Pottebaum- 6-foot-2, 220-pound FB from Larchwood, IA (West Lyon)
Jaden Snyder - 6-foot-2, 205-pound DB from Larchwood, IA (West Lyon)