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For Willie Snead IV, the NFL runs in the blood. Well, it's the New York Jets, so you know, sort of.
Snead hopes to hear his name called May 8th through 10th at Radio City Music Hall in New York City where the NFL will welcome a crop of newcomers. Snead's father was drafted by the New York Jets in 1989 following a collegiate career at Florida and Virginia. Snead III played two seasons with the Jets and Houston Oilers, as well as tenures in the World Football League and Canadian Football League.
The MAC NFL Draft Scouting Report
More than a dozen MAC players are considered serious candidates for the 2014 NFL Draft. We're breaking each of those players down here.
Now it's the time for number IV, who leaves Ball State a year early, after shattering Cardinal receiving records. Snead exits Muncie as one of only two receivers in school history to record back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons. His 2,991 receiving yards ranks third all time in Ball State history.
Snead also logged thirteen 100 yard receiving games in a Cardinal uniform, tops in school history. His 26 touchdown catches are third all time. Snead torched MAC secondaries for better than 1,500 yards in 2013-14, the highest single season total in the history of Ball State football.
The accolades rolled in for Snead following his effort this past season. The Belle Glade, Fla. product, who was named Michigan Division 5-6 Player of the Year at Muskegon Heights High School as a quarterback, was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist in both 2012 and 2013. In both years Snead was selected to the All-MAC First Team, and last season he was named as a Sports Illustrated Honorable Mention All-American.
So I'm going to save you some time. Be prepared to hear this word often as the NFL Draft grows closer and closer. "Sleeper." Sleeper is the word that "experts" use instead of "I don't know." The numbers are not debatable. They stack up not just in the MAC, but in all of the nation.
Some will point to the level of competition in the MAC. As someone who watched every snap of every Ball State football game a year ago, let me tell you, Snead made catches that would dazzle in every conference. He has the ability to catch the uncatchable, and has a nose for the endzone. Stepping off my soapbox.
People aren't always interested in such analysis though, they want to hear about overrated statistics like 40 time. Well draft combine nerds, here you go. Snead ran a pedestrian 4.62 at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, then shaved that time considerably, clocking a 4.51 at his Pro Day.
So where to? Let's stir the pot.
Good morning from San Diego
— Willie Snead IV (@Willie_Snead4G) April 15, 2014
But then there's this:
@Millz2BeMade training out there n seeing family
— Willie Snead IV (@Willie_Snead4G) April 12, 2014
Which is exactly what I would say if I was visiting an NFL team and didn't want to make a big deal about it.
Depending on which mock draft board you prefer, Snead ranks anywhere from 20 to 30th in what is being lauded as a deep draft class for wide receivers. It was risky move for Snead declaring early, but in my completely biased opinion he is definitely worth taking a shot on day three. Just do it Miami.