Though the Kentucky football team may not garner many national headlines, it’s time running back Benny Snell Jr. is acknowledged as the rising star he is.
The Kentucky football program could have a superstar on its hands. It’s admittedly rare for Kentucky to produce NFL-caliber skill players, but junior running back Stanley Boom Williams may not be the only player who can break the mold.
Though he’s only a freshman, Wildcats star Benny Snell Jr. is showing all the signs of being the next great SEC running back.
Snell didn’t play during the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles or Florida Gators games. He made a triumphant debut against the New Mexico State Aggies, however, during which he led Kentucky to a high-scoring victory in a genuine shootout.
Snell finished with 17 carries for 136 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a 62-42 victory—a legendary and historic performance.
How about Benny Snell? The freshman went off today. Just the second frosh. in school history w/ four TDs in a game. pic.twitter.com/rkCE9MCLxB
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 17, 2016
In the four games that have followed, Snell has validated the belief that he’s the next great Kentucky player.
In his second career appearance, Snell ran the ball 16 times for 73 yards and a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks. He only received eight carries against the Alabama Crimson Tide, but managed to pick up 38 yards—an average of 4.8 per carry.
Snell then took the ball 20 times for 94 yards against the Vanderbilt Commodores in yet another impressive showing.
It was against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, however, that Snell proved to be more than just promising. He ran with a purpose, as he has all season, fighting through contact and exploiting every opening that was given to him.
Snell finished the 40-38 victory with 19 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown—a performance that earned him SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
True freshman running back Benny Snell's 128 rushing yards and career-long 34-yard TD vs. Miss. State earned him @SEC Freshman of the Week: pic.twitter.com/Ssy20lZuhi
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 24, 2016
Once again, Snell had the look of a genuine star.
Beyond the statistics, Snell has the look of a genuine SEC superstar. He doesn’t go down on first contact, knows how to turn speed to power and vice versa, and has an uncanny ability to find the end zone.
Whether the numbers show it or not, Snell has the presence of the star SEC running backs who have come before him.
In just five appearances, Snell has amassed 469 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 80 carries. He’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry and is on pace to pick up more than 900 rushing yards in less than a full season.
Both on the stat sheet and beyond it, Snell has done enough to warrant the faith of a devastated Kentucky football fan base.
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The question is: can Snell live up to his potential as the next great SEC running back?