Snell declares for the NFL Draft, will play in Citrus Bowl

Kentucky Wildcats running back Benny Snell Jr. (26) running the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. University of Kentucky football defeated Middle Tennessee State University 34-23 at Kroger Field on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Michael Clubb | Staff

After another stellar season for Benny Snell Jr. featuring another 1,000-yard year on the ground for the running back, he’s announced his intent to enter the NFL Draft via Twitter.

He posted a video Friday afternoon that announced his intent to play in UK’s upcoming Citrus Bowl, UK’s highest-profile bowl in over 40 years. That will be the last game that Snell wears the blue and white before pursuing the goal of the NFL.

Snell has been the team’s lead running back since the third game of the 2016 season. His first game in which he had a major role, a 62-42 win over New Mexico State, saw the then-freshman run for 136 yards and four touchdowns.

Since then, Snell has been the head of UK’s rushing attack, leading the SEC in yards last season before finishing second in that statistic this season. He’s led the conference in carries both his sophomore and junior years, and has notched 1,000 yards on the ground for all of his three years at Kentucky.

After the Citrus Bowl, AJ Rose is likely to take the helm as UK’s top running back.