Who would you compare Snell to?
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Emmitt Smith. They have similar builds and running styles. Both had good, not elite speed; both were low to the ground grinders; both drag tacklers and fall forward for extra yards. Both have terrific peripheral vision, the ability to see the holes opened by linemen or over-pursuit. More than anything, though, both have a knack for never getting hit flush. How many times did you see Smith (or Snell) get "blown up" by a defender? This last trait means you get the best of both worlds: a physical back that punishes defenders but isn't sidelined all the time with injuries. (There's a reason Smith's NFL career was so long).
Earl isn't a bad comparison. By the time Benny leaves UK, their sizes will be very similar. Earl was a man playing the game, Benny is too.
I grew up a Cowboys fan and loved Emmitt, but I don't see that comparison. Benny plays much more of a power game than Emmitt did.
EC was a rarity who could bull you over or outrun you.....Snell's about a step slower and at least 20 lbs. lighter
If Snell had another gear he would have 300 yards every game.....he can get loose from tacklers but he can't breakaway yet.....Maybe after a good winter workout season he can pick up that extra step
Here's an excerpt on Campbell:
"5-11, 244-pound frame, coupled with 10.5 seconds in the 100 meters and 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, made him the most feared runner of his time. Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame defensive tackle Joe Greene claimed that Campbell could inflict more damage on a team than any other back he ever faced."
Go watch Smith's tape from Florida his freshman year. It's eerie how similar they are. Note how Smith runs through arm tackles and no one ever gets a good lick on him. In college, Smith was a physical, shifty runner.
I hear ya but still don't agree. I don't need tape, I was out of UK by the time Emmitt came along. Emmitt was shifty, a cutter with great vision and good strength but Benny still doesn't run like Emmitt. Earl is a closer comparison.
Earl at Texas.
Funny thing is, Benny as a freshman outweighed freshman Earl by 35 pounds.
Old timers like me, Earl Campbell. The generation after that, Jerome Bettis. Kid will be in NYC before his career out. Not saying he is a Heisman trophy winner but he will get an invite. There is not much out there right now like him. Kid is a surefire NFL back. Without question
Gore might be the best comparison I've seen so far. Snell isn't fast so doesn't compare to some of the other names. He's more powerful than Davis or Smith.
I think the issue is "reminds me of". Clearly it isn't time to equate him to Earl. However, if you watch that video I posted, they have a similar game. The young man is special, a power runner with good speed. More likely to run through you, than to try to cut around you. You can't arm tackle him and you can't leg tackle him. He prefers to run N S, but he can cut some. Hence the loose comparison to Earl.
I am a 50 yo overweight white guy who plays flag football for my company. Last game, I took a pitch and juked a girl by reversing field, thus, I loosely resemble Barry Sanders. Just pickin'. I agree with the comparison you made.
You and I are the same age.
I might be bias but Benny has a long, long way to go to reach any Earl Campbell comparisons.
He is a hard runner and pushes the pile but I have yet to see him demolish defenders in the open field and then out run the rest of them.
Right now he is more Artose Pinner with greater upside.
He has to get past the Alstot's, Czonka's, Riggins', Bettis', and Franco Harris' before I put him in the "reminds me of EC" club.
Just my opinion, but I was a huuuuuuge Campbell fan.
I might be bias but Benny has a long, long way to go to reach any Earl Campbell comparisons.
He is a hard runner and pushes the pile but I have yet to see him demolish defenders in the open field and then out run the rest of them.
Right now he is more Artose Pinner with greater upside.
He has to get past the Alstot's, Czonka's, Riggins', Bettis', and Franco Harris' before I put him in the "reminds me of EC" club.
Just my opinion, but I was a huuuuuuge Campbell fan.
agreed
i am so happy the young man picked UK
but he should never be compared to EC
i do like the Elliot comparison
Mostly true but in fairness, I didn't see Earl doing that either in his early Texas days. If Benny ends up 15-20 pounds heavier and keeps his speed, there are some DBs who are gonna have a real bad day down the road.
Matt Snell! He played with Broadway Joe when they beat Baltimore and Johnny U in the Super Bowl. Matt scored the only touchdown for the Jets, who won 16 to 7. Most of you probably can't remember it.
OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!
OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!