Snelling Ready For NFL Combine

Jason Snelling. He is the only Cavalier that was invited to participate.

Snelling has been preparing for the NFL Combine since finishing his career at Virginia; he played as a graduate student this fall after getting his degree in Anthropology last May. The Chester, Va., native started training in Orlando, Florida, with Tom Shaw, a renowned personal trainer. Snelling also played in the East West Shrine Game in Houston, Texas, last month.

“It’s going really well. I’m really enjoying working out with Coach Tom Shaw,” Snelling said recently in an interview with The Sabre. “He really gets you prepared for the combine as well as the next level. We go six days a week. It’s pretty intense.”

Intense, but effective. Shaw has trained four No. 1 overall picks among a client list that includes more than 85 first-rounders. X-A-M Sports, which represents Snelling, picked up the $750 per week tab plus living expenses for Snelling’s time in Orlando.

NFL Combine – Other ACC Players

  • Wake Forest’s Jon Abbate (LB) and Josh Gattis (DB)
  • Clemson’s Gaines Adams (DL), Nathan Bennett (OL), Duane Coleman (DB), Dustin Fry (OL), C.J. Gaddis (DB), Chansi Stuckey (WR), and Anthony Waters (LB)
  • Miami’s Baraka Atkins (DL), Jon Beason (LB), Kareem Brown (DL), Brandon Meriweather (DB), Ryan Moore (WR), Tyrone Moss (RB), and Greg Olsen (TE)
  • Georgia Tech’s Reggie Ball (WR), Kamichael Hall (LB), Calvin Johnson (WR), Kenny Scott (DB), and Mansfield Wrotto (OL)
  • Boston College’s Joshua Beekman (OL) and James Marten (OL)
  • Florida State’s Lorenzo Booker (RB), Chris Davis (WR), James Davis (LB), Mario Henderson (OL), and Lawrence Timmons (LB)
  • Virginia Tech’s Noland Burchette (DL), David Clowney (WR), Brandon Frye (OL), Nick Leeson (Long Snapper/Special Teams), Brandon Pace (PK), Aaron Rouse (DB), and Nic Schmitt (Punter/PK)
  • N.C. State’s A.J. Davis (DB), Leroy Harris (OL), and Tank Tyler (DL)
  • Maryland’s Stephon Heyer (OL), Adam Podlesh (Punter, PK), and Josh Wilson (DB)
  • North Carolina’s Ronnie McGill (RB)

“We do a lot of overall speed training and weight training,” Snelling said. “We also do a lot of football specific drills, just keeping us into our game on the football field.”

While the former Virginia running back is not projected to be a first-round pick, he could get picked up in the mid to later rounds or as a free agent. Snelling believes he will get a shot at the NFL in one way or another, whether that is as a fullback or running back or as a draftee or free agent.

“I feel real confident about getting a look,” said Snelling, who might have to put on just a little weight to move to fullback in the NFL. “Even if I’m not drafted, I’m working really hard to get a chance and I’m confident I’ll get that chance.”

NFL teams should take a long look at Snelling, who indicated that he didn’t have a preference on which team gives him a shot, saying “Wherever I fit in with a team and their offense, where I’ll get an opportunity to build, that is where I want to be.” He has a solid reputation among his teammates and he took on two different roles as a Cavalier – first as a sidekick to current NFL running backs Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman, then as the feature back this past season.

The move to tailback as a senior proved to be a good one as Snelling racked up 830 yards and 7 touchdowns on 183 carries to go with 29 catches for 282 yards. Snelling said he was “really able to focus all of my talent and energy as a running back. I think that it definitely helped my chances to try to play at the next level.” His career numbers add up to 276 carries for 1,382 yards and 10 touchdowns as well as 84 catches for 775 yards and 4 touchdowns. That production, combined with his ability to run and pass block in a pro-style offense may make him an attractive choice for some teams – the Super Bowl Champion Colts are believed to be among the interested parties.

Plus, Snelling showed courage and determination in dealing with epilepsy, a neurological disorder that has left him battling migraine headaches and seizures at times. His condition is controlled by medication.

“I’m very excited. Not a lot of people get an opportunity to play this game and take it to the next level,” Snelling said. “I’m really thankful and I thank God that I get this opportunity to keep on pursuing my dream of playing football in the National Football League.”

(Jed Williams of The Best Seat in the House caught up with Jason Snelling on his show recently. Listen to the Free Audio here.)


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