newjerseynewsroom.com

BY MATT SUGAM

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

PISCATAWAY – Kevin Snyder isn’t naïve. He knows that no matter how well he plays as weakside linebacker this spring, he won’t be there with the first team come training camp.

The Big East co-defensive Player of the Year Khaseem Greene will return from his ankle injury and Snyder will be back to competing for reps as the strongside linebacker.

It puts the promising sophomore in a precarious position. He’s missing out on competing with Jamal Merrell — who he split reps with at strongside linebacker last season — but getting to show his versatility.

“Kevin Snyder knows he’s going to play a lot of football here whether that’s at the Sam position, the Mike or the Will, that may change during the season as it’s changed this spring, but he’s taken the approach that he’s going to be ready to play wherever we need him to play,” head coach Kyle Flood said after today’s spring practice. “In the beginning of training camp and the fall that’ll be at Sam linebacker, but it certainly could progress to other spots as we go through training camp and we get into the sub packages.”

For a position group that doesn’t have much depth, Snyder is the utility man. The Mechanicsburg, PA native can play all three positions and do so comfortably. It’s atypical and not easy to do. Especially for a guy who only has one season under his belt.

“I think that’s good because you can play wherever they need you,” Snyder said. “You can play in certain spots so you’re not limited.”

But he is limited in what he can do at separating himself to win the job as the strongside linebacker. Merrell has received all the first team reps at Sam while Snyder is at Will.

Merrill has the chance to give himself a leg up on the competition heading into training camp. However, that’s not bothering Snyder.

“I can’t say it’s frustrating because I’m going to be out there and getting reps doing something,” Snyder said. “I understand the Sam and I’ll have to re-acclimate myself with it as the summer goes on, but it’s good to get the reps at the Will.”

It’s a good experience not only for this fall, but more importantly for the rest of Snyder’s collegiate career. After next season, Rutgers loses their middle and weakside linebackers.

Snyder is in the process of trying to master both those positions, so he can play either if his number is called to be a starter in the 2013-14 season.

“Really I’m just trying to prove to myself and the coaching staff that I can play in the box and so that gives me a little more versatility,” Snyder said. “If they need me there later after next year after Khas and [middle linebacker] Steve [Beauharnais] are gone or if they need me at the Sam or wherever it may be it helps to let them know I can be versatile.”

After familiarizing himself with all three spots in the middle of the defense, he has no preferences on where he plays. He just wants to be on the field.

“If you can play, you can play,” Snyder said. “Wherever it is, is fine with me.”

For more Rutgers football coverage follow Matt Sugam on Twitter @MattSugam and on Facebook.