Playing NCAA football is the dream for many student athletes as they suit up each Friday night in the fall on the 100-yard field. To have the drive and dedication to make it to the next level requires sacrifice, talent, and leadership from a coach.
This year’s wide receivers gained a coach with both experience and passion: RJ Sneed. As a graduate of Cy Ranch High School in Texas, Sneed was used to winning and was ranked 194th in on ESPN300 overall prospects and 28th in the nation among receivers. After multiple offers from Power Five schools, Sneed signed a letter of commitment to play for Baylor University in 2017, where he played before transferring to Colorado University in 2022.
“I played wide receiver at Baylor,” Sneed said. “It taught me that I have to trust the process and not skip steps in life.”
Sneed believes that not skipping steps does not stop at playing football but also connects to what he hopes to do with coaching.
“You can’t rush what you do,” Sneed said. “I want to coach college football and high school is a step that I feel like I have to take to get to where I want to be. Playing college football taught me about being a man, growing up, and trusting.”
Sneed said he is happy to be coaching high school students now as he has been able to develop meaningful relationships and feels as though he has made an impact.
“I love interacting with the kids and seeing them grow both on and off the field,” Sneed said. “My favorite part of it all is seeing the growth and progress they make.”
Sneed believes that coaching is his calling and discovered that while playing his first year in college.
“I had a coach who always had good vibes and brought great energy,” Sneed said. “He was relatable, and I could talk to him. He is someone I admire and aspire to be like.”
Senior wide receiver Derek Ramsey said he appreciates the effort Sneed has made this year to connect with his athletes.
“Obviously Coach Sneed is really good at being a receivers coach, but the biggest thing for me was how he connects with kids and builds relationships,” Derek said. “He holds everyone accountable on and off the field.”
Senior wide receiver Tyson Turner appreciates Sneed’s ability to communicate and interact with players.
“Coach Sneed was able to coach us well without having to say too much,” Tyson said. “He always knew how best to explain how to execute a play, and he continues to motivate us throughout the year.”
Derek believes that the relationships that Sneed is able to build correlates with his age and experience.
“Coach Sneed played football recently, putting him closer to our age and that helps him connect to players,” Derek said. “He kept a lot of people in the game because he had that closeness in age and time on the field that helped him connect so well.”
Sneed’s goal for his athletes is to go beyond the field and learn how to be successful in life.
“I hope my players remember to never cheat themselves,” Sneed said. “They are better than what they think they are, and the sky’s the limit.”
