Latest on San Diego DL Clinton Snyder
Spring Valley (Calif.) Monte Vista defensive end Clinton Snyder is one of the state's top rush ends and really gets it done on and off the field. He had a solid showing at the Nike Camp in San Diego where he tested, looked good in the drills and just needs to add some weight, which he says will be no problem.
Snyder, 6-4, 200 pounds played at around 235 pounds as a junior but lost a ton of weight playing hoops.
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“I just love basketball,” Snyder said. “I’ve played basketball my whole life -- twice as long as football. I can’t give it up yet.”
According to new Monte Vista head coach Page Culver, putting the weight back on won't be a problem.
“He has the body to weigh 260 pounds in college,” Culver said. “He spends so much time running while he’s playing basketball, he hasn’t been able to put on weight. But he’s a great athlete, a great kid and a natural leader. He loves the weight room, so when he’s done with basketball he’ll put on weight.”
Snyder already has everything else. He clocked a 4.66 in the 40, did 16 reps on the bench and jumped 31 inches in the vertical. As a junior, he had a big season totaling 90 tackles, 22 for loss and 17.5 quarterback sacks.
“Having coached against him, I know a coach has to focus on stopping him,” Culver said. “He’s so talented, he can take on two or three guys.”
Snyder said he wants to improve his technique and gain some weight before his senior football season.
“I have the ability to gain weight, but I think I help my agility and quickness by playing basketball,” he said. “Those are my strengths and basketball helps me out in football. Once I get to college though, I'll be ready to give up basketball and focus totally on football.”
Snyder currently has scholarship offers from UCLA, San Diego State and Arizona and has the Bruins leading Stanford, Cal, Washington, USC and Arizona. Academically, he's carrying a 4.45 GPA and scored a 1240 on the SAT.