Three-star safety DD Snyder committed to Illinois on Monday. The 6-foot, 175-pound Tampa Catholic (Fla.) safety is the Illini’s eleventh commitment in the Class of 2021 and the seventh from Florida.
Snyder chose Illinois over 20 Division-1 offers, including a final six that also included South Florida, Central Florida, Washington State, Louisville, and Indiana.
Illinois defensive backs coach Keynodo Hudson, a Florida native, led the charge for the three-star prospect. Snyder said Illini staff members Brent Jackson and Aaron Gonzales also played key roles in his recruitment.
Snyder committed to Illinois without yet visiting the campus due to the pandemic.
Here is a Q&A that IlliniPulse recruiting correspondent Luke Lowry had with Snyder:
WHAT PUT ILLINOIS OVER THE TOP IN THE END?
“It was a lot of factors but I think the biggest ones were the coaching staff being able to connect with me unlike other coaching staffs also I can see myself making an impact on the field and in the city of Champaign.”
DID YOU WAIT TO COMMIT FOR ANY SPECIFIC REASON?
“My plan was to commit August right before the start of the season but with the dead period being pushed, I decided to do it a month earlier. Also, I am 100% sure that Illinois is the best fit for me. I committed on July 6th specifically because my mom birthday, so it was a little extra special doing it.”
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STAFF?
“I have a great relationship with the staff we talk about football but also talk about life and all aspects of it. Most of the time I don’t feel like a prospect or feel like I’m getting recruited because how naturally we interact through Zoom, phone call or text.”
WHAT IS ILLINOIS GETTING WITH YOU AS A PLAYER?
“Getting a passionate player who loves everything about the game, someone who doesn’t take the game for granted and physically Illinois is getting an athlete who is fast, physical and understands the game.”
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE AN ILLINI?
“Feels great … feel like I’m a part of something that’s going to be a significant part of Illinois history in the coming years.”
