Smith Snowden spent his offseason training on a track, not a football field.
Utah’s two-way star — now playing wide receiver, cornerback and even a little bit of running back — was unknowingly preparing for his new role this season. He’d run 400-meter, 300-meter and 50-meter sprints in the Utah summer heat.
It was his way of “just really getting those lungs open,” Snowden told The Salt Lake Tribune of his offseason conditioning. But little did he know, it was going to pay off in a much bigger way.
“Being in shape is the most important thing when it comes to playing football. I did a lot of track work,” he said. “I’m a track guy, and I truly believe that track is such a great thing to do in the offseason, especially just to work on not being fatigued when it comes to season time. I feel like that was a big part of my journey.”
Heading into the season, Snowden was, arguably, Utah’s best defensive back following the departures of Zemaiah Vaughn, who ran out of eligibility, and Cam Calhoun, who transferred to Alabama.
Snowden’s role was about to change, though. Before the start of the season, the junior was approached by Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham about the idea of playing on both offense and defense. It wasn’t anything new for Snowden, since he played as a receiver and defensive back at Skyridge High School in Lehi.
Utah saw what 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter did with Colorado last season. Hunter had an interception and multiple touchdown scores against the Utes in the Buffaloes’ 49-24 blowout win over them a year ago.
In a way, the Utes and Whittingham were looking for a way to replicate that kind of success this season.
Utah players celebrate a touchdown by cornerback Smith Snowden during an NCAA football game against the UCLA on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
“I think it came down to Coach Whitt, really,” Snowden said. “He saw some of my attributes I had on kick return last year, and he presented me with the idea, and — at the end of the day — if it’s best for the team, I’m going to do it.”
Throughout fall camp, Whittingham shared with media members that Snowden and senior linebacker Lander Barton were making an early impact on offense.
“Smith Snowden is looking good on offense; that’s been a good addition for us. And Lander Barton is doing some good things on offense, so we’ve got a lot of [offensive] options,” Whittingham said during Utah’s training camp.
No one really knew how involved both would be in new OC Jason Beck’s system, not even Snowden.
“Honestly, going into the season, it was kind of unknown,” Snowden said. “You have no idea. I’m taking reps at practice, doing good. And then game day comes, and you’ve just got to be ready and see what happens. And then during my first game, I got about 25 plays on offense.
“That’s a lot of plays. I just have to be ready.”
In the junior’s first two games, he caught nine passes for 49 receiving yards. Snowden also made some plays at halfback, notching five rushes for 30 rushing yards and one touchdown.
While he’s played more sparingly on defense, Snowden has still accrued three total tackles on the season. Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has relied on walk-on corner Jackson Bennee to step up in his place.
Bennee was a star against Cal Poly, accounting for a pick-six and three breakups
Snowden said it’s easy to play on both sides of the ball with Bennee’s performance on defense. But, like Snowden, sophomore Bennee will have a role on offense this season, too. Whittingham said this week he wants him to be even more involved in Utah’s vertical passing attack.
“It’s great to see Jackson out there balling,” Snowden said. “For a guy that’s having his first time really seeing action and playing at such a high level, he is doing great.”
Bennee, a walk-on who only played special teams last season, said Snowden has helped him prepare for an expanded role on both sides of the ball.
“Smith is great,” Bennee said. “He’s really what we call a technician, and I’ve learned a lot from him.”
While Snowden’s role will vary week to week — depending on the opponent and game plan, according to Utah’s head coach — he does like playing one side of the ball more than the other.
And having an offseason of track conditioning under his belt surely helps.
“Having fun out there, being able to touch the pill is always fun,” Snowden said. “When you get the ball, being able to make a play is all you can do.”
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