Jason Snelling
FB/RB, Virginia
Numbers: 5'11, 235 pounds
2006 Stats: 183-772-7 rushing, 29-282-0 in 11 games
Career Stats: 276-1324-10 rushing, 84-775-4 passing in 48 games
The Buzz: Has a reputation as a hard-hitting lead blocker, but
also as a runner who can drag would-be tacklers ... Excellent pass receiving
skills out of the backfield ... Converted 60% of his third-down opportunities
and likes having the ball in his hands in key situations ... Rarely gets stopped
behind the line of scrimmage as he's a north-south runner with a good forward
lean ... Special teams coverage skills will be an asset at the pro level. Led
the team in special teams tackles as a freshman ... ""If this offense
was a boxer, he'd be the body punch." -- Virginia head coach Al Groh
...
AP Photo/Steve Helber
Noteworthy: Has been active in the Big Brothers program ...
Received the Ben Wilson Award as the team's outstanding offensive player for
2006 ... Has exposure to the pro game terminology as his head coach is former
Jets head coach Al Groh ... Switched to fullback as an underclassman to get more
playing time up until his senior year when he was the Cavaliers' featured
tailback ... Granted medical hardship in 2003 due to headaches/dizziness
that was eventually remedied with medication ... Missed five games in 2004 with
an ankle fracture ... was the starting fullback his junior year while Wali Lundy (Texans) was the featured back ... graduated in May, 2006 with a degree in
anthropology.
He said it to Scout.com...
"I'm a hard runner. I'm the type of runner that might not always break a
fifty or sixty yard run, but I move the chains and that's an important part of
the game and I think I have a lot of success with that."
"I look around and I'm blessed to be in college and getting an education
and playing football. So I just wanted to give back and I think I learned just
as much from the kids as I tried to give to them when I was doing it." --
on getting involved in the Big Brother program
"A lot of linebackers and safeties like to take a shot at the running
back, and I like to run through people and deliver the blow. Sometimes guys say
I'm an offensive player playing defense out there."
Check back on Sunday evening for our interview with Jason Snelling, an exclusive feature for Scout.com subscribers!