Some unsolicited advice to graduate school admissions officers: It's probably best not to turn down Matt Snyder.
College football coaches tried that a few years ago, and the Deep Run graduate has been proving them wrong ever since.
Now the former walk-on is a senior captain for the Cavaliers with big ambitions on the field and off. Snyder already has earned a bachelor's degree in foreign affairs and is working to get into a master's program at U.Va.
First, though, is his senior season of football, when the wide receiver will team up with his brother, Jake, a sophomore defensive end.
Zane Parr's departure has freed up a starting spot on the line, and it looks to be Jake's. The two Richmonders will be playing this fall for the team they grew up watching.
"We grew up going to Virginia games and being Virginia fans," Jake said. "You can't beat the academics here, and it's a great athletics opportunity as well."
They took different paths to Charlottesville. Jake was recruited as a scholarship player out of Deep Run. After redshirting his first year, he played in every game in 2010.
Matt struggled to get noticed out of high school, a chip he still carries on his shoulder.
"I think in this game, you have to play a little angry," he said. "There are people who didn't believe in me. The team we're playing the first week didn't give me a chance."
That school is William and Mary, a testament to how fruitless Matt's search was. But having landed at U.Va. as a walk-on, he has played his way into a captain's role.
Last season, he played every game, averaging about three catches per contest. With Kris Burd and Tim Smith the likely starters this year, Snyder's role will be a similar one if he can hold off touted freshmen Darius Jennings and Dominique Terrell.
"They're trying to crack the lineup, and I think that's great," Snyder said. "That's the healthy competition you need in camp to make everybody better."
On the defensive line, Jake Snyder will line up opposite Cam Johnson, who had a team-leading 61/2 sacks last year.
Position coach Jeff Hanson said the two players bulked up during the summer, something that has him excited about their potential.
"And even though we're bigger, we're a lot quicker and faster this year," Hanson said.
"That will enable us to rush the quarterback a lot better."
Jake has two more years after this one, while Matt is soaking in his final months as a college player.
He's hoping it won't be the end of his schooling, though, as he pursues his master's.
After that?
"Maybe the State Department, or the FBI," he said.
"It's something I'll have to think about."
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