A weekly feature in which we spotlight a player from the West Michigan area, comparing him to his NFL counterpart based on his playing style, talent (relative, of course), appearance or anything else that warrants a comparison.
Willie Snead IV (Muskegon Heights) — Antwaan Randle El
Snead IV's experience at Holland Christian has prepared him for success at Muskegon Heights
Back in his days at Indiana University, Washington Redskins’ wide-receiver Antwaan Randle El played quarterback. He played it well, too, setting all sorts of records and even dropping U-of-M at the Big House his senior year (I didn’t speak the whole ride home from Ann Arbor). Randle El switched to wideout upon being drafted into the NFL, and while he remains among the better slot receivers in the league, his previous experience behind center provides an added element of versatility to his game (see: Super Bowl XL).
Turn all that upside down (besides the NFL aspect; let’s not get ahead of ourselves, here) and you’ve got Muskegon Heights’ quarterback Willie Snead IV. Snead IV’s migration from wideout in 2008 to quarterback in 2009 has at once demonstrated his versatility and cultivated a unique skill-set that has propelled him to success in either role.
Last year, Snead IV lined up as a wide receiver for Division-4 state champion Holland Christian. Catching passes from standout quarterback A.J. Westendorp (now with CMU) during Holland Christian’s title run gave Snead IV the opportunity to a) gain experience, and b) showcase his undeniable athleticism on the big stage. At the same time, Westendorp demonstrated to Snead IV exactly what it meant to be a leader. Fast forward to today, and Snead IV is now playing the leadership role for a Tigers team with aspirations of claiming shiny objects at Ford Field. And so far, it appears Snead IV was taking notes last year.
The Tigers’ offense is a version of the spread-offense very similar to that run by Indiana during Randle El’s heyday. It’s geared toward Snead IV’s strengths, and it’s very tough to stop.
It’s an offense designed to create running and throwing lanes at the expense of protecting the quarterback. But when you’re sporting a quarterback like Snead IV or Randle El — one who can make most defenders dive at the air behind him with ease — that’s not so much of an issue. What makes the Tigers so formidable isn’t Snead’s ability to rifle accurate passes to his receivers, nor his ability to turn a broken play into a 15-yard gain with his legs (electric jukes, thy name is Snead). What makes the Tigers so formidable is Snead IV’s consistent success in deciding between the two options.
And there’s no denying the impact he’s had. Last year, sans Snead, the Tigers went an abysmal 2-7 overall. This year the Tigers started the season with a bang, putting 46-points up against defending champion Muskegon Oakridge in a win that ended out as a loss. Then they dropped 75-points on an overmatched Grand Rapids Central squad. At 1-1 (or 2-0 with an asterisk), Muskegon Heights looks to have a legitimate shot at Ford Field.
The question — that will need to be answered in the affirmative for the Tigers to fulfill on their potential — is: Can Snead IV lead his team when things are going badly?
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