‘A dream I’ve had for as long as I can remember.’ Snell turning pro after UK’s bowl.
It seems like just yesterday that Benny Snell was getting his first collegiate carry two games into his freshman season against New Mexico State.
Since that first game, in which he ran for 136 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries, it has been all Snell all the time for Kentucky.
“It just happened so fast,” Snell, now a junior who has broken more than a dozen records at UK and helped guide the Cats to the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day, said some three seasons later. “I just remember being a freshman and this all being new.
“And now it’s all coming to an end.”
It will end after the game against Penn State on Jan. 1 at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium when Snell will get his final carries in a Kentucky uniform.
Snell, who needs just 107 yards to break the Cats’ career rushing record set by Sonny Collins 43 years ago, announced on Friday afternoon that he will declare for the NFL Draft after the bowl game.
Before releasing the more than two-minute video announcing his intentions to the fans, Snell wanted to tell his Kentucky teammates first. “They were all happy for me, clapping, screaming. I shared a good moment with them.”
Kentucky’s coach anticipated Snell making the decision even before the season started. The running back from Ohio leaves early with Mark Stoops’ blessing.
“He’s very much supported by everybody in here to go ahead and move onto the next phase,” Stoops said Friday night. “We appreciate what he’s done.”
What Snell has done is run for 3,729 career yards and 46 touchdowns on 711 carries, including his 1,305 yards and 14 scores this season with a game to go.
In the video he put out on Friday, Snell thanked his teammates, coaches, administrators and fans for embracing “a kid from Ohio” and making him feel like one of them.
Snell said he was entering the NFL Draft to “pursue a dream I’ve had for as long as I can remember.”
In dramatic fashion, Snell waited until the end of the video to address the question fans most wanted answered.
“Am I playing?” Snell asked of the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1 versus Penn State.
“Snell Yeah,” he said. “I have unfinished business. Whatever I start, I make sure I finish. I got one more chance to wear that uniform. Bet I make it count.”
There were some discussions about potentially sitting out the game, but Snell said he I wanted “to go out like I came in: with my brothers.”
His time at Kentucky, including favorite moments like his big game against Mississippi State this season and the upset over Louisville two years ago, has flown by.
“But it’s a blessing. It’s a blessing,” Snell said. “I’m so happy to be where I’m at and for the things that I’ve done. Sometimes I catch myself thinking about things like, ‘I really did that, I really did this.’ ...
“I’ve enjoyed every moment here. I’ve had the time of my life.”
News and notes
Kentucky wide receiver Zy’Aire Hughes will not participate in the Citrus Bowl following his recent assault arrest, Stoops confirmed on Friday, saying the former McCracken County standout is “suspended from all team activities.”
Hughes, 21, pleaded not guilty of assaulting his girlfriend in Fayette District Court last week. The victim had bruising and fresh scratches, according to the court documents. Her injuries were minor and she was not taken to the hospital.
▪ Kentucky sophomore Clevan Thomas requested to be moved from slot receiver to defense and has been practicing there, Stoops said.
“He knows we’re losing a lot of guys and good players, so he’s out there and he looked good,” the head coach said. “I like what I’m seeing.”
Thomas’ father, Clevan Thomas Sr., was a starting cornerback on Florida State’s 1999 national championship team. The elder Thomas also was a three-time defensive player of the year in the Arena Football League.
While in high school in Miami, the younger Clevan Thomas played all over the field, including at linebacker, defensive back, wide receiver and tight end.
Citrus Bowl
No. 14 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Penn State
When: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1
Where: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
TV: ABC-36
This story was originally published December 14, 2018 at 3:23 PM.