Freshman WR RJ Sneed making an early impression

There have not been many Baylor football media sessions this spring where early enrollee and true freshman receiver RJ Sneed wasn't mentioned by one of his coaches or teammates for the positive impact he has had on the field.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Cypress Ranch High School product probably wasn't expecting that. Or maybe he was?

“I just came in since day one just kept my head down, studied the playbook, and made sure that I could do what I could do best to be on the field," Sneed said. "I can only control what I can control as in my effort and everything else on the field and let everything else take care of itself."

Less than four months ago Sneed first met Matt Rhule and Francis Brown, who Sneed said was the biggest reason he ended up at Baylor after being committed to Ole Miss only days prior to the date he was set to enroll at the SEC school.

With reps available due to injuries to Blake Lynch and Jared Atkinson, not to mention Chris Platt missing time for track, Sneed is taking full advantage and making a serious play at serious playing time in the fall.

"RJ obviously came in and brought professionalism and an attention to detail that’s rare for a young person his age," Matt Rhule said.

Rarely is right. The should-be high school senior should be [enter high school student event here], yet he's nailing down a playbook along with teammates who have been in college for three, four and five years.

"RJ has been very impressive," Baylor wide receiver coach Bob Bicknell said. "As a kid that I really think is 17 and a half years old and came here out of high school, he’s been as impressive as anybody. Especially learning everything and kind of getting everything down."

According to Sneed, the transition of offensive schemes for the older players has allowed Sneed to enter the program at a significantly more level playing field.

“It did, it helped a lot because we all came in not knowing anything at all so like it’s an even race," Sneed said. "Whoever can learn it faster and process it faster will get on the field faster so I felt like it helped me a lot coming in early and having the same race as everyone else."

Bickell's opinion echoed Sneed's statement.

"Now, again, he’s going off of everything being new and I think it’s harder when you come in and guys have been doing something and have to relearn, but he’s made a lot of plays and done a really good job."

In his three-year varsity career, Sneed totaled 103 receptions for 1,880 yards and 23 touchdowns. As a senior, Sneed set career highs in receptions. (40) and yardage (700). While not eye-popping numbers, Sneed's mentality and skill set will transition well to the Big 12.

"The one thing that I noticed just now is that he’s a tough kid and really competitive," Bicknell said. "He catches the ball in traffic. He’s been able to learn a lot of different things and he runs maybe better than maybe you look at right away."

"All I know is that every time he’s running, a lot of time he’s running by people. He’s been unbelievable."