Just because John Conner shares a backfield with UK’s star tailbacks doesn’t mean he gets any of the accolades. Conner, UK’s senior fullback, has made a career of paving the way for others’ success.

“I just try to do my job to the best of my abilities,” Conner said. “I know fullbacks don’t get a lot of glory, so I just try to have fun with it and do what I do.”

What Conner does is bulldoze opposing defenders to clear a path for his tailbacks. He’s a 5-foot-11, 240-pound steamroller who must sacrifice his body so his teammates can miss one more defender or gain one more yard, especially in short-yardage situations.

Conner came to UK as a walk-on but slowly worked his way up and broke into the starting lineup part-time in 2007. He started 11 games last year and developed into perhaps the best blocking back in the Southeastern Conference. He’s also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield.

“Conner is a guy that just is a solid football player,” UK head coach Rich Brooks said. “Running, catching, blocking, never really complains about anything. Just does his job and does it, to my mind, as well as any fullback in the country.”

He’s still relatively unknown, but that’s no surprise considering he has 23 career attempts for 89 yards on the ground over the last three years. Nicknamed “The Terminator” by teammates, Conner will likely still have to earn his due without too many touches.

“You know, sometimes you can feel like (you’re underrated),” Conner said. “But as long as I’m helping the team out and we’re doing well as a team, that’s all I’m worried about.

“At the same time, it’s some motivation to get out there and get some respect.”

Running behind Conner will be senior tailback Alfonso Smith, a gamebreaker who has been spectacular in spurts. Smith’s speed and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield give him the tools to be a starting back, but nagging injuries have kept him from becoming a major contributor. He’s never carried the ball more than 74 times in any season.

Also looking to stay healthy will be junior tailback Derrick Locke, who may be even more dangerous than Smith if he recovers from last season’s injury. Locke was UK’s leading rusher when he tore two knee ligaments against Arkansas. He has insisted he’ll be ready to go for the season opener, but there will still be plenty of questions surrounding him until he takes his first hit.

Whoever ends up getting the majority of the carries this season will be in good hands. Asked if there was any chance he wouldn’t make it in the endzone with John Conner in front of him and one man to beat, Smith said he would be in for a touchdown “unless John Conner tackles me.”

Whether Conner is ready to pave the way when the season starts could still be up in the air. Conner sprained an ankle he had previously had surgery on in the team scrimmage on Saturday. His status for the season opener is still unknown.

Conner is very close with the rest of his backfield and spends a lot of time outside practice with the other running backs. That relationship can show up on-field when a runner gets a boost of confidence and feels more comfortable with Conner in front of him.

“Whenver John Conner is in front of me, I just have this extra battery pack,” Smith said. “I know I’m safe when John Conner is in. I know that he’s going to take the most of a blow and I can get behind him. I know if John Conner’s in there, I got the chance to break a long run and take it to the house.”