Linebacker Robert Snyder redshirted his first year at the University of Virginia. A chance to earn a spot in the linebacker rotation last season was taken from him last summer, when he suffered a torn pectoral muscle just days into summer workouts. An arduous and lengthy recovery process ensued.

“You have to stay strong,” the 6’2”, 230-pound Snyder said of his recovery process.

“Be patient, don’t lose hope,” Snyder said, listing some lessons learned after his recovery. “Try to embrace the little things. They mean a lot more after going through that.”

Snyder had responded well in the face of adversity before. During his days at Collins Hill High School (Suwanee, GA), the former consensus 3-star standout returned to school just two days after having a benign growth removed from his chest. Snyder’s toughness and determination shined through once again during this latest recovery, which lasted six months and included a rehab plan he joked was “as thick as the bible.”

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