“Benny Snell is a downhill runner. He’s very agile. He can make you miss. He’s a very smart runner and I try to bring pain to the defense not vice versa. … He’s an animal. I can tell you that.” — Benny Snell

ATLANTA  — It might sound braggadocious, but it might be true.

Benny Snell didn’t mince words when he was asked if he was the best tailback in the SEC.

“I am,” the Kentucky star said flatly during SEC Media Days.

His teammate, tight end E.J. Conrad, agreed wholeheartedly.

“He’s absolutely correct by saying that,” Conrad said. “Look at his numbers the last two years.”

Let’s do just that. First, Snell is the leading returning tailback in the SEC when it comes to yards per game at 102.5. That was third last season behind two tailbacks who have moved onto the NFL: former Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson and former LSU running back Derrius Guice. The two that immediately trailed Snell in the yards per game are also gone to the NFL: former Georgia tailbacks Nick Chubb and Sony Michel.

Snell’s yards per carry average doesn’t exactly support his argument. Snell averaged 5.1-yards per carry, which was 18th best in the SEC last season. Michel topped the SEC with 7.9-yards per carry. However, it’s worth noting that Snell was used more often between the tackles and Michel was more often used in space and on the perimeter.

Snell certainly has history on his side. He could join an elite club. Only five tailbacks have rushed for 1,000 yards in three seasons. Snell and Alabama’s Damien Harris have an opportunity to do so this season. The rest of the club is pretty elite: Herschel Walker at Georgia, Kevin Faulk at LSU, Darren McFadden and Alex Collins at Arkansas and Chubb at Georgia.

The tailbacks that Snell will be compared to as the SEC’s best this season aren’t exactly daunting. Harris would figure to be Snell’s strongest competition for best tailback. After that, it’s not a star-studded season for tailbacks in the SEC.

“Benny Snell is a downhill runner,” Snell said, referring to himself in the third person. “He’s very agile. He can make you miss. He’s a very smart runner and I try to bring pain to the defense not vice versa. … He’s an animal. I can tell you that.”

As one might expect, Conrad backed Snell’s claim. Conrad pointed out that Snell can run for tough yards or break longer runs.

“That dude’s a beast,” Conrad said. “He’s the best running back I’ve ever played with. He has the ability to take it 50 or 2 (yards). He’ll grind it out. He’s the whole package with everything. He just runs extremely hard. … You appreciate that, guys running hard.

Snell’s hard running could be historic. His 2,424 rushing yards is within reach of Sonny Collins’ school record of 3,835. Collins wrapped up his career in 1975.

“I don’t share my personal goals, but I can tell you that I am going for the rushing record,” Snell said. “I am looking to win more games that we have last year … and be in a better bowl game.”

If the rest of the SEC isn’t willing to at least consider Snell’s claim that he’s the best tailback, that will just add to his fire. Snell already has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to his career and how the Wildcats are viewed. Kentucky could have won 10 games last season had they not lost close games against Florida, Ole Miss and Northwestern. Despite that, don’t expect Kentucky to be deemed a strong contender in a weak SEC East anytime soon. Florida or South Carolina are much more trendy picks to finish behind Georgia this season. Snell has noted the lack of attention the Wildcats have gotten.

“We do not get enough respect,” Snell said. “I’ve been feeling that way ever since I came in my freshman year. Each year this team always has a chip on their shoulder because we feel like we have to prove people wrong when it comes to the rankings or whatever outside people think about the team. We definitely keep mind of that.”

Kentucky football has certainly changed. Snell said he’s as popular in Lexington as the most coveted basketball players. When asked about how he’s treated by fans compared to Kentucky hoops stars, Snell said, “I feel like it’s just about the same. Benny is friendly with everybody. Everybody loves Benny in Lexington and I love everyone else. It’s cool. It’s close. It’s family.”

Benny also knows what it will take for Kentucky to get more of the respect they’re so hungry for.

“By winning more games,” Snell said. “The expectations on ourselves is to win more.”

So can the Wildcats take the next step, which would be competing for the SEC East in November? Benny believes they can.