Defensive back Brandon Snyder on course to return this season
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Despite having suffered a serious knee injury in April, Iowa defensive back Brandon Snyder didn't rule out playing this season.
And now it makes sense why he didn't.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz had a positive update when asked on Tuesday about Snyder's recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
"He's doing more and more with each week," Ferentz said. "I don't know when it's going to be, but I think it's fair to say he'll get out there on the field this season in the regular season. His rehab is going really well. It's quote/unquote ahead of normal times or average times, so that's a positive. He seems to have confidence right now."
Snyder will travel with the team and dress for Saturday's game at Michigan State. But he isn't expected to play.
"He won't have a helmet, but he'll go through pregame and stuff like that," Ferentz said of the 6-foot-1, 214-pound Snyder. " But one of these days, maybe, we'll get him out there."
Snyder is approximately five months into a recovery process for an injury that typically takes eight to 10 months to heal. He suffered the injury early in spring practice.
Snyder started all 13 games as a sophomore last season at free safety, recording 53 tackles, while sharing the team-high with three interceptions and leading the team with three forced fumbles.
Snyder came to Iowa as a walk-on and was redshirted in 2014. The former multi-sport star from West Lyon High School saw action in all 14 games as a redshirt frshman in 2015, playing mostly on special teams.
Junior walk-on Jake Gervase started the first three games at free safety this season before being replaced by second-year sophomore Amani Hooker for the Penn State game.