[LeeCoUKFan]

Ohio four-star receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass liked Kentucky because of academics, fan base and coaches


Published May 3, 2013

By LARRY VAUGHT

Long before he made his verbal commitment to Kentucky, Ohio receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass knew he was going to be a Wildcat.

“It was the academics, the fan base and the coaches. I knew way before I announced my decision what I was going to do because I loved Kentucky,” said the Springfield, Ohio, receiver. “It’s the SEC. You get to play in the best conference in college football and go against major competition each week.”

Snodgrass, a four-star recruit, is the highest ranked receiver ever to commit to UK, and he’s already working on helping bring more talent to the 2014 recruiting class.

“I didn’t know about that ranking until I read it a few times. It’s an honor, but records mean nothing. You still have to work hard to get your position and play,” he said. “That’s why I am shutting down my recruiting and focusing on my senior year, and that also lets me start recruiting other guys now, too. There are going to be a lot more guys committing to Kentucky soon. There will be three or four more in the next couple of weeks, including maybe a few surprises. It’s a program on the rise that players want to be part of and want to help build it back. They see how the Kentucky fans are hungry for success. And they have great coaches.”

He’s obviously sold on the package that offensive coordinator Neal Brown ran at Texas Tech and will use at UK.

“I watched a lot of Texas Tech football last year. I love that offense and it had a major impact on my decision to come to Kentucky. It’s a great way for a receiver to get exposure and get a lot of chances t make plays,” the 6-1, 184-pound Snodgrass, who has been timed in 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash, said.

Snodgrass describes himself as a “player willing to do anything to win” on or off the field.

“I am committed to working hard. I want to be the best I can be for my team. And I love to play physical,” he said.

He’s played tight end, linebacker and running back during his career, but says receiver is what he likes most.

“I was bigger than most kids, so I played other positions. But receiver is what I do best at. It gives me a chance to make big plays and get my hands on the ball,” he said. “But we run a lot of triple option here, so I do not mind blocking at all.”

Snodgrass said he never grew up dreaming of playing in the NFL, and still won’t think that far ahead.

“I just thought I would be a regular guy until middle school and high school,” he said. “But I am still keeping that stuff out of my head. That would be dream thing, but I’m going to stay humble and wait until that time comes to think or worry about that.”

Snodgrass said he had “never heard from Kentucky” before coach Mark Stoops and Brown arrived.

“Stoops is an Ohio guy and we know we can put our trust in him. Same with (UK assistant) coach (Vince) Marrow. He’s an Ohio guy we trust and like. That has made a big impact for UK here. But there are really a bunch of UK fans up this way, too. They are all excited over the way UK is recruiting Ohio now,” Snodgrass, who is running track now, said. “It’s just hard not to believe in what he does.”

Snodgrass believed even more after more than 50,000 UK fans attended the Blue-White Game to end spring practice.

“That just made me feel even better about my decision. I think it opened the eyes of a lot of other recruits, too. Plus, you got to see the offense score points. Recruits like that,” he said. “The Kentucky fan base is just ridiculous, though. Everybody is behind the football team and now you have a great offensive coordinator coaching you. What’s not to like?”

That’s the message he’s telling Conner’s Drew Barker, UK’s top quarterback target in the 2014 recruiting class. He’s gong to make his college announcement May 10.

“Drew is real good, a laid-back guy. I really think we have a great chance of getting him,” Snodgrass said. “I’m doing all I can to get him.”

http://vaughtsviews.com/ohio-four-star-r...d-coaches/