A significant development occurred over the weekend as veteran running back Stacy Sneed announced his intention to enter the NFL Draft. This decision marks a pivotal moment in his football career, following a solid tenure with the Houston Cougars.
Throughout his collegiate journey, Sneed accumulated a total of 1,206 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns on 215 carries. Additionally, he demonstrated his receiving skills with 57 catches for 373 yards and two touchdowns. Despite a decrease in his offensive workload as the Cougars leveraged the transfer portal, Sneed”s reliability in both rushing and receiving roles positions him as an intriguing prospect heading into the NFL Draft.
Sneed”s path in college athletics is somewhat unique in today”s landscape, where many players opt to transfer early in their careers in search of more prominent roles. The three-star recruit out of high school chose to remain with the Cougars, even after sitting out two seasons as a redshirt. It wasn”t until the 2022 season that he first made a significant impact. In 12 games as a redshirt freshman, he recorded 486 rushing yards and five touchdowns on only 70 attempts, along with 20 receptions for over 110 yards. Although quarterback Clayton Tune dominated the carries, Sneed made noteworthy contributions to a Cougars squad that finished with an 8-5 record.
In 2023, Sneed”s role diminished further, primarily due to the emergence of running back Parker Jenkins and dual-threat quarterback Donovan Smith. Despite the reduced opportunities, he maintained an impressive average of nearly six yards per carry and over seven yards per reception. His only touchdown that season came in a game against the Rice Owls, where he rushed for 41 yards on nine carries.
As a junior, Sneed continued to show consistency in the ground game, averaging over five yards per carry for the third consecutive year. He tallied 308 rushing yards and found the end zone once on just 60 carries. His standout performances included games against Iowa State and Rice, where he rushed for approximately 80 yards each time. He also added another touchdown against the Owls.
In his final season with the Cougars, Sneed gained 130 rushing yards on 37 carries, facing limited playing time due to the influx of new talent through the transfer portal, as Coach Willie Fritz revamped the roster. Quarterback Conner Weigman and running back Dean Connors shared the bulk of the carries, amassing nearly 1,700 rushing yards combined.
Despite the challenges and a reduced role during the latter part of his college career, Sneed”s determination, adaptability, and consistent performance have distinguished him among his teammates. His journey reflects patience and resilience, characteristics that suggest he has the potential to secure a spot on an NFL roster.
