In 2022, Tyler Huntley became a national name. He nearly led his team, the Baltimore Ravens, to a victory against the defending AFC Champions Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 24-17. Huntley was later named to the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl Games roster as well, participating in the game with other NFL stars later that week.

Before any of this success though, Huntley started out as a backup quarterback for none other than the Utah Utes.

From 2016-2019, Tyler Huntley played as a quarterback for the University of Utah. After becoming the starter for the Utes in 2017, Huntley kept his starting spot through his senior season in 2019. He performed well in 2019, throwing for 3,092 yards and 19 touchdowns, with just four interceptions.

Despite a strong finish to his college career, Huntley did not receive an invite to the 2020 NFL Combine. A lack of an invite did not bode well for Huntley’s NFL ambitions, but “Snoop,” as many fans called him, did not give up.

A few months later, Huntley watched the NFL draft, as all 32 teams passed on him throughout the seven rounds. However, he was signed by the Baltimore Ravens on April 30, 2020, signing as an undrafted free agent. Huntley continued to work hard through the pandemic-plagued offseason, but he was cut on September 5, 2020, in the Ravens’ final 53-man roster cuts.

However, once again, Huntley did not give up. He was able to earn a practice squad contract with the Ravens, and in a season defined by injuries, COVID-19 exposures, and other obstacles, Huntley was given the chance to participate in games later in the season. His moment in the national spotlight game against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs after star-quarterback Lamar Jackson was injured. Huntley was able to put together 60 passing yards and 32 rushing yards, showing on national television that he could play.

Huntley was given the opportunity to experience some more playing time in 2021, securing his place as Lamar Jackson’s primary backup.

After his performance the previous two years, the Ravens gave an exclusive-rights tender to Huntley in the 2022 offseason, giving him another guaranteed year in the NFL. Huntley then was thrust into the spotlight in a whole new way. Playing against the Denver Broncos late in the season, Jackson experienced a knee injury. Coming in for the injured starter, Huntley managed to lead his team on a game-winning drive, scoring a rushing touchdown to give the playoff-seeking Ravens a 10-9 win.

Huntley would go on to finish off the season, leading the Ravens to a 10-7 record and a playoff appearance. While he was not able to finish off the game against the Bengals in the wild-card round, it was admirable to see Huntley, a former undrafted free agent, nearly knock off a juggernaut NFL team, led by former first-overall pick Joe Burrow. The Ravens were impressed enough by Huntley’s performance that they once again placed a tender on him for the 2023 season.

Snoop has already defied expectations. Despite not even being invited to NFL Combine, he managed to lead a team to the playoffs, earn multiple new contracts, and earn a Pro Bowl selection. For the former Utes quarterback, his career is just getting started. He has already made accomplishments that few were expecting from someone in his position, so Utah fans can look forward to seeing what he will continue to do to defy the odds.

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