ATLANTA — The way Kentucky’s Benny Snell Jr. runs the ball, it’s surprising he doesn’t get injured more often, as he is one of the most punishing backs in the SEC.

However, as many big hits as Snell delivers to opponents, he says there are plenty more that he doesn’t dole out, instead choosing to preserve himself for another play.

Speaking at SEC Media Days, Snell said he tries to minimize the contact he takes so he can stay healthy for the long season. He said he doesn’t sacrifice his intensity and strength, but rather doesn’t go out of his way to initiate contact.

“When I run the ball, I try to be a smart runner,” he said. “I don’t take any unnecessary contact — if I need to step out of bounds, I’ll step out of bounds. I don’t try to take on everybody and I try to hit the ground as soft as I can. I’m not a conservative runner, because I run very hard, but I’m a smart runner.”

That comment drew the attention of Kentucky coach Mark Stoops, who was standing in the corner of the room. When Stoops took the podium after Snell, he couldn’t help but laugh at Snell saying he doesn’t try to take on everybody.

“I love Benny, but I had to chuckle, because I have to say, ‘Whoa!’ to him all the time,” Stoops said. “He doesn’t exactly try to evade contact. Sometimes in practice, even when we’re not full-go, you admire and respect this, but he knows one speed, and that’s full-go.

“On defense, when we’re trying to thud him up and he’s trying to run people over, there tends to be some conflict there in practices at times.”

Snell has proven he’s one of the SEC’s toughest guys, so perhaps he does actually think he’s avoiding contact at times, even as he sends defenders flying.

After running for 1,091 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman and adding 1,333 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, though, Snell still isn’t very well known on a national stage. Teammate Josh Allen said he believes “Benny Snell is the best running back in college football.”

Snell wasn’t asked specifically about America, but the confident junior believes in his abilities and said he matches up well with any back in the SEC.

“I do feel like I’m the best this year,” he said. “My running game is very strong. I try to make myself better off the field, whether that’s the film room or practice, making sure I get mental reps. I’m very durable. I can get 200-plus carries and I can still be OK for the rest of the season without getting injured.

“At the beginning of the (2017) season, against Eastern Kentucky, I broke a rib. I went in at halftime and I came out (in the second half) and I scored and finished the game. Whether it’s a nagging injury, I’m going to get it fixed and get in the training room. Whether it’s something like pain tolerance, I’m playing through it. It’s things like that.”

Ask him to name the running backs he models his game after and it’s clear he prides himself on three things — versatility, power and speed.

“I love Ezekiel Elliott, I love Leonard Fournette, but to me, Adrian Peterson is the best running back of all-time just because of how explosive of a runner he was and how he was able to pass-protect with his line,” he said.

Following the 2018 season, Snell will have a big decision to make — head to the NFL or return for his senior season at Kentucky. First, though, he wants to prove himself on the national stage — and Stoops thinks those accolades will come if the Wildcats have a good season.

“We have a lot of good players,” Stoops said. “We have players that turned down high draft picks to come back because they want more, they expect more and they want to improve this football team, improve themselves. If we have success as a football team, the accolades will come for kids individually and I believe Benny is like that.

“I personally think he deserves all the respect people give him and more, because he’s done a great job. I love his attitude and his energy and what he does for us. But he’ll be the first one to tell you that it’s more important to focus on the team.”

Last season, Snell opened the season with 20 carries for 67 yards and no scores in a narrow victory over Southern Miss. When the Wildcats open the 2018 season on Sept. 1 against Central Michigan, Snell’s expectations (as well as those of his coaches and teammates) will be much higher.

“We’re tired of being close in some (games),” Stoops said. “We want to win and get over that hump.”