Interview: Productive 4-Star 2022 Nevada OLB Robby Snelling is a True Do-Everything Player
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
At 6-3, 200-pounds, the sophomore season was amazing. After gaining 20 pounds over the extended offseason, what will four-star Class of 2022 prospect Robby Snelling do for an encore? Much like the 18 college programs that have offered along with the teams showing interest, it seems everyone is ready to see McQueen High School’s do-all athlete on the gridiron during the Nevada 2020 season.
Through a tough 4-6 season, Snelling was asked by the Lancers’ coaching staff to do a lot, and he delivered. The Lancers’ standout completed eight passes for 116 yards, carried the rock 12 times for 40 yards with two scores, and hauled in four for 35 more.
Playing that hybrid strong safety role in the Lancers’ defensive scheme, Snelling took home first team All-State defensive back honors, All-Region, and All-League after putting an end to 79 plays, 41 by himself, with 11.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, four QB hurries, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, three passes broken up, and produced two pick-sixes.
If the production at all the positions did not impress enough, Snelling also earned first team All-League punter honors booting 29 covering 1,094 yards dropping eight inside the 20.
For an in-depth interview covering his skills on the field and recruiting process off it, Snelling stopped by the RNG Lab.
Interview
Robby, I don’t know where to begin the interview with you. Going back to last season, you did so much on the field as a sophomore. Catch us up, where all did you line up in 2019?
I played a lot of different positions. I was versatile and used my athleticism last season. Defense is my main thing. We had a veteran quarterback last season. It was tough to take that position. I did get some snaps at quarterback, but I was at tight end for most of the time on offense and some at receiver. On defense I was mixed around. I was mostly at strong safety and also some at middle and outside linebacker. I also punted and kicked a little bit too.
Impressive. Being that capable athlete who can do seemingly anything, what were your roles on offense a year ago?
Most of the time, if we were inside the 10 or on the goal line I was at quarterback. Nornally it was a QB draw with me trying to get as many yards as I can, lowering my shoulder. That is one of my favorite things to do. At tight end, I would get the ball in space. They’d get me in space and let me do my thing and make plays. I was also used as a blocking tight end, which worked out well. Blocking is a strong suit with how dominate I was on both sides of the ball.
You even impressed as a punter downing eight kicks inside the 20 out of 29 attempts. Punting may not be what you love to do on the field, but what was that experience like for you?
I’ve always kicked since I started football. Last year surprised me though with my length and strength. I was as strong as ever. It was fun to see what I could do. If we were not within a distance, and I was far enough out, I would see how far I could kick it. It was a macho thing for me, kick it hard and far. It was something foreign to me being strategic. It was a lot of fun.
The area where you shinned the brightest was on defense. What scheme were you guys executing last season and what were your roles within it?
Last year we ran a 3-4, we had two safeties over the top. Most of the time I was at strong safety. You never want your safety to have the most tackles, but I blitzed a lot. Out of a drive, I blitzed two to three times on their run. Most of the time I was getting through. My coaches were utilizing my speed off the edge and how I was reading the quarterback and running back’s eyes. We utilized that.
We were not a great tackling team last year. Some of the tackles were chasing down plays; that goes back to my speed, which was cool for a sophomore leading your team in tackles.
If it’s the big natural hits or the sweet pick-sixes, once the season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game as a defender?
Honestly, my football IQ. I did more film study that I probably needed to, but by the time we got in the game, like the game with the two pick-sixes, I knew it was happening. That team did the same play the week before. I was picking up on their tendencies of the quarterback and receiver. My film study was one of my strengths. My physicality and how I was able to predict within seconds before the play started what was about to happen was really important to my game.
When the 2020 season gets going, where all might we see you on the field again?
I will still be at safety. Most of the time as a rolled-up safety on the edge like a wide defensive end type of position. I will force them to make a decision on who they will block. And I will be at middle linebacker some too. On offense, I think we made the decision that I will only be playing quarterback – most likely.
As the starting quarterback?
Yes, sir.
How have you started preparing for these roles in the weight room?
My dad is the weights coach, I am able to get into the weight room when needed. Starting the season and at the end of the summer, I was at 200 pounds. I have been grinding putting on 15 to 20 pounds in muscle and keeping my speed; that has been important. I am not building muscle to look the part. You have to run and be able to move with that extra weight.
Have you had a chance to max out this fall or winter?
Yes. My squat max is 420. On bench I have not maxed but that is projected at 280, and my power clean is projected at 280. During this time, it has been hard to do your maxes. Normally we do it as a class. Working out by myself, I am not in that zone to max out in that mindset.
Your closing speed is already ridiculous, what have you been doing to add even more speed and agility to your game?
I have been running hills for a long time, even with weighted vests, to get my body accustomed to that weight so it will feel normal running on flat ground. I have been doing box jumps, single leg squats, working on my hamstrings, and a lot of jump rope.
As a linebacker, what have you been working on with your skills?
My big problem was a false step on my first read. I have been working on flowing downhill. Instead of getting caught on my backfoot, moving forward, collecting, and reading the play. With my offseason work, I am putting myself more in a linebacker’s mentality than a strong safety. There are not a lot of 220-pound safeties in high school. I am morphing into more of a linebacker position.
After all this hard work, what are you most excited to showcase on the field for the 2020 season?
Probably how much physically I have changed. I was scrawnier last season. With the weight and muscle gain, that dominating factor – that guy looks scary kind of thing. My speed too. That is my big thing, not being slow and being a big guy who can run. That is important for baseball too.
Let’s talk about that. Which varsity sports are you playing for McQueen?
Football and baseball.
Which positions in baseball are you playing?
I pitch and play centerfield.
Are you getting looks in baseball as well?
Yeah, I am verbally committed to Stanford. I did so my freshman year. They offered me for football as well. I am keeping all those doors open.
On the football side, which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
Some of the schools talking to me are TCU, Oklahoma, Penn State a little bit and Texas. Texas wants to see my junior year film. I am hoping we have a season so they can see that film.
How many football offers do you have?
I have 18.
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
The last couple were Washington State, Auburn, and Nebraska.
Snelling’s Offer Sheet: Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Boise State, California, Nebraska, Nevada, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, Stanford, UCLA, UNLV, Utah, Virginia, and Washington State
When visits pick back up in the coming months, are there any schools you’d like to go see in-person?
Yes. I want to move away from the west coast, I know the weather over here. I have researched the schools close to home. When I take visits, I want to see other parts of the country. Ole Miss, Notre Dame, and Auburn are a couple of schools I’d like to see. Oregon and Arizona State are two on the west coast I’d like to see as well.
Robby, we covered a lot of ground today. I appreciate your time and wish you continued success preparing for the 2020 season this winter.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Snelling family; Robby Snelling