The Detroit Lions are offering a rookie minicamp opportunity to a quarterback with local ties and a standout college résumé.

Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire reported that the Lions invited Eastern Michigan quarterback Cole Snyder to participate in their rookie minicamp. Snyder just wrapped up a six-year college journey that included stints at two other schools, and he now gets a major chance to compete for an NFL deal.

Since the Lions neither drafted a quarterback nor signed one as an undrafted free agent, they needed to bring in a signal-caller to help operate drills at the rookie minicamp. Snyder has now been given that opportunity.

Snyder began his college career with three years at Rutgers, where he saw limited action, appearing in only 10 games and completing 21 of 31 passes for 165 yards and a single touchdown. He later transferred to the University of Buffalo, starting 25 games and throwing for over 5,000 yards.

He completed his college career with one season at Eastern Michigan, where he completed 59.7% of his throws for 2,684 yards, adding 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. In 2024, he also rushed for 323 yards and scored four touchdowns on the ground.

As SI.com’s Jorge Pola noted in a pre-draft scouting report, Snyder is regarded as an athletic quarterback with a refined game.

“What jumps out first about Cole Snyder’s play is his polish,” Pola wrote. “Mechanically, Snyder is very smooth to watch, showing clean fundamentals. His dropbacks display a strong base and consistent footwork, maintaining balance and precision.”

Pola further noted Snyder’s smooth throwing motion and powerful arm, attributes that could help him transition effectively to the NFL.

“Snyder’s film features numerous back-shoulder passes, highlighting his timing and precision,” Pola wrote. “Across his six years of college ball, he has proven capable of making every throw—short, mid-range, and deep—with both accuracy and force.”

While Snyder’s rookie minicamp invite doesn’t guarantee him a contract, the Lions are facing key decisions regarding their quarterback depth. The team spent a third-round pick on Hendon Hooker in 2023, hoping he would become Jared Goff’s backup, but Hooker was overtaken by veteran Teddy Bridgewater last season.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes reiterated the team’s belief in Hooker but emphasized that he will need to compete to secure his position this season.

“I mean, look, we like Hendon,” Holmes said via USA Today’s Lions Wire. “He missed his first year recovering from injury, and last year was his first full season of training camp and regular action. We brought in Teddy Bridgewater late as we were pushing for the playoffs, and Hendon just wasn’t quite ready yet. He understood that.”