Brooks Snyder to play football at Chadron State

John J. Mesh/McCook Daily Gazette McCook High School senior football player Brooks Snyder, center, signed a letter of intent to play football at Chadron State College. He is flanked by his parents Scott, left, and Lesa Snyder.

Bison senior

projected as

inside linebacker

The McCook-to-Chadron State football pipeline flowed again Wednesday when Brooks Snyder signed a letter of intent to play for the Eagles.

Snyder, a 6-foot-2, 200-pounder, will be part of a recruiting class that includes McCook Bison teammate Richard Smock, who will be his roomate at Chadron State College.

The Eagles' roster already features offensive linemen Ryan O'Dea and Luke Olson from McCook.

Snyder, who will likely redshirt his first season, chose Chadron over Doane State and Wayne State. He hopes to bulk up to 220 pounds.

"They have a good football team with a winning tradition," said Snyder, who made one of the most memorable plays in McCook history when he caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Tony Purvis on a halfback option as the clock ran out in the first half during the Bison's 21-0 victory over Omaha Bishop Roncalli Catholic in the Nebraska Class B state football championship game.

Snyder said he enjoyed being part of a Bison program that has won two straight state titles and 26 consecutive games.

"It was awesomely unreal," Snyder said. "It helped me a bunch. I probably would not be looking at other colleges if it weren't for coach (Jeff) Gross."

Gross said Snyder has a great deal of potential as a college football player.

"They know him as someone who can play football," he said. "He's someone who can play inside linebacker who can play. They like the way he plays inside in traffic.

"He has a lot of intangibles like his demeanor and attitude. He needs to get stronger and faster. He had a great senior season. In the biggest games, this kid is in the spotlight making plays."

Snyder's signing will give McCook 19 athletes playing college football next season.

"We're putting out a lot of good football players," Gross said. "Colleges know they can come to this school knowing players can play at the next level."

Snyder, who will major in criminal justice, is the son of Scott and Lesa Snyder, He plans to become a policeman, and mentioned that his favorite television show is "Cops."