Kentucky Football 2019 Spring Preview
#1 Find Benny Snell’s Replacement
The first big thing that Kentucky needs to address is Benny Snell’s replacement. Snell left Lexington as one of the best running backs to come through Kentucky. Filling his shoes will be a big question mark for the Wildcats this spring.
Related Story. Kentucky Football: Early Look at Benny Snell’s Replacements. light
Asim Rose, Chris Rodriguez, and Kavosiey Smoke are the three backs currently on campus and competing for the job. The Wildcats also have incoming freshman Travis Tisdale.
There are four guys legitimately competing for the starting job, and that’s a good problem to have. The Wildcats won’t have to worry about depth at the position, just who can attempt to fill Snell’s shoes.
Rose will likely end up taking a majority of the snaps this season but will have to step up a good bit. He toted the rock for 442 yards and five scores last season. Rose is a natural athlete, and this offseason will be crucial to him growing more into his body.
However, don’t count out Tisdale or the other three. Smoke and Rodriguez have great qualities to them just need to show it on the football field.
Personally, I like Rose to start, but Smoke’s film shows how high of a ceiling he has. Along with what an awesome name he has.
Snell had a name everyone knew, and Smoke could be one of the coolest running back names to come through the SEC. Now he needs to show what he can do on the field so people will know that cool name.
As for Tisdale, the Georgia native toted the rock for 1903 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. The kid played at Lowndes County High School in Valdosta, Georgia so I know he can flat out run the ball.
With a little development and weight on him, he could see the field some this season. However with the talent and depth in front of him, a redshirt year may do him good and allow him to grow a little more into his frame.
Regardless of who gets the nod for the starting running back, they will have to make a name for themselves. There won’t be another Snell, so these guys don’t need to try to be him but become the best running back they can.