Can Kentucky ever reach the upper echelon of Southeastern Conference football?
“I want to think Kentucky can get there,” said former UK running back George Adams.
Adams ran for 2,648 yards and 25 scores at UK and caught 79 passes for 609 yards and two scores. He averaged 4.5 yards every time he touched the football and had 1,085 yards and 13 scores rushing along with 33 catches for 330 yards his senior season. He helped UK get to two bowl games.
He went on to play six years in the NFL for the New York Giants, who made him a first-round draft pick, and New England Patriots. He rushed for 886 yards and caught 111 passes for 1,014 yards.
Adams’ son, Jamal, played safety for LSU and is now with the New York Jets after they drafted him in the first round. He carefully watched SEC football then from a different perspective but still believes in what UK can do.
“From what I saw at LSU, Kentucky has a great coach, great staff. That’s where it starts,” Adams said. “The recruiting, they are getting the five-stars (recruits) and four-stars in there. Back in the day Kentucky was getting the two-stars and three-stars. To me, stars don’t mean nothing. What matters is the way they play on the field and Kentucky’s guys are playing better each year.
“I really think that Kentucky can get on track to the top. They had some big wins last year that hopefully can be a stepping stone for more. I have seen other teams do it and Kentucky can get there, too.”
For Kentucky to get there, it will continue to need big games from junior running back Benny Snell. Like Snell, Adams was a big back and sees a lot of similarities between him and Snell.
Snell led the SEC in rushing touchdowns (19) and ranked third in rushing yards (1,333) last year when he averaged 102.5 yards per game. He became the first player in school history to have consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
“I like guys who do not shy away from anything,” Adams said. “Ever now and then you have to know when to give up and not take licks, but I love the way he runs. He doesn’t run away from licks. I like how he keeps his legs moving and is always ready to take on the contact.
“A lot of running backs, especially in the SEC, don’t like to run inside. They like to bounce outside and use their speed, but everybody in the SEC is fast. You have got to go between the tackles and he’ll do that and that makes him very, very special.”
Adams understands how difficult it could be for the junior running back to maintain that success this season.
“It’s real hard for a kid to be able to run the way he is running year after year,” Adams said. “Defenses are going to load up to sop him and make the quarterback — whoever it is — throw the ball. He will still get yards. He’s a tough kid, runs hard and has good vision. I think he will be great at the next level (NFL) too. But SEC defenses are going to come after him this year.”
(STORY BY LARRY VAUGHT)