Pittsburgh Steelers fans, meet fourth-round NFL draft pick Benny Snell

By Jon Hale
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2019/04/27/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-steelers-fourth-round-pick-benny-snell-scouting-report/3593694002/
April 27, 2019



LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky legend Benny Snell has been here before.

Overlooked as a recruit by home town Ohio State in high school, Snell used that snub as motivation to carve out one of the most productive college careers in recent memory. Now, the chip on his shoulder has likely only grown after falling to the fourth round of the NFL draft, where he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Snell was the 10th running back selected in the 2019 NFL draft.

"That is Benny," Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said earlier this week. "Benny is no different right now then the day he walked in in many ways. You guys remember back to that first year Benny was here and me chuckling about, 'Hey dude, we are going to tackle you and going to hit you' and him being so mad because he wanted every yard.

"That is a beautiful quality because he is the exact same way now. He is competitive and driven and it is hard to put a measure on that heart." 

Despite being rated as a middling, three-star prospect out of Westerville Central High School, less than 20 miles from Ohio State's campus, Snell shined from day one at Kentucky.

As a freshman, he split carries with incumbent starter Boom Williams but still earned Freshman All-American honors with the first of three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The next two seasons, Kentucky shifted its offense to a run-heavy attack built around Snell's bone-crushing rushing style and a strong offensive line.

In his final game as a Wildcat, the 2019 Citrus Bowl, Snell broke the program's career rushing yards record (3,873). He owns outright or shares 14 total UK records, including total touchdowns (48) and 100-yard games (19).

"I would say I bring a lot of power to the game, a lot of smart decisions," Snell said at the NFL combine in February. "When you need me in critical times, I make things happen. I usually make something out of nothing. I just see myself as a productive player, a real passionate player. You can’t measure a person’s heart."

What you can measure is a player's speed, and Snell has faced questions about his since high school.

At the combine, Snell ran a 4.66-second 40-yard dash, 19th best among the running backs represented. His 16 reps on the bench press tied for 20th among running backs, less than one might expect for a player with a reputation as a short-yardage power back.

Those were the same doubts that dogged Snell as a high school recruit though, leading Ohio State to ask him if he was interested in playing outside linebacker despite his 1,826 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior. 

The Buckeyes loss turned out to be Kentucky's gain as Snell committed to the program as a junior thanks to early interest from Ohio recruiting ace Vince Marrow. He rewarded that loyalty with 737 rushing attempts across three years. As a senior, he ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards (1,449).

"Benny is going to be successful because that is just the way he is wired and he is going to work really hard," Stoops said. "That is a great mentality to have because those yards are tough to come by in the SEC -- and look at the success he has had -- and they are hard to come by in the NFL. You need a player like that."

Now Snell, who gave up his final year of college eligibility to enter the draft, is left to prove doubters wrong again.

"You can just say, ‘Benny, you’re not good enough. You can’t do it, you can’t do it,'" Snell said at the combine. "It’s like, 'No, I can, and I’m going to show you I can do it.' So, I feel like whatever situation I’m put in, the time will tell when it’s my time. And whenever my time presents itself I’m going to make sure I take it."

Jon Hale: jahale@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @JonHale_CJ. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jonh.