Benny Snell on Heisman Watch

Benny Snell is finally getting the credit he deserves. Pro Football Focus, which compiles some of the best stats in college and professional football, listed Benny as an early favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.

Benny is one of ten players listed, as you can see above. The praise is long overdue as Snell has 47 carries for 300 rushing yards to go along with 2 rushing touchdowns on the season. That is to go along with over 1,000 yards rushing the last two seasons, while pacing the SEC in rushing last season.

PFF goes on to say:

A relative unknown from those outside of Kentucky and us here at PFF, Snell has had a personal vendetta since Day 1 at Kentucky when he was overlooked as a high school recruit. He’s made teams pay by forcing 44 missed tackles each of his first two seasons with the Wildcats and if his two-game sample for this season is any indicator, he’s well on his way to surpassing those marks in 2018. He’s forced 11 missed tackles on 48 carries and is currently averaging 4.82 yards after contact per carry and was huge in Kentucky’s upset victory against Florida.

Everybody in the state of Kentucky, and pretty much everyone in the SEC, knows the beast Benny Snell. He hasn’t received a lot of national attention, besides the controversial ejection in the Music City Bowl last season, but he’s finally starting to get it.

While ESPN did not include Benny on their Hesiman Watch this week, at least someone is giving him the respect he deserves. Benny is top five nationally in rushing yards (300). And with 175 yards on the ground, he just led Kentucky to a huge road win over then-No.25 Florida, helping to snap The Streak.

The attention and praise is well deserved. Hopefully, it continues to pour in as the Kentucky Wildcats have never had a Heisman Trophy winner.