Benny Snell Jr. is nothing if not confident.
How else can one explain his desire to wear No. 26 with the Steelers, last worn by now-departed Le'Veon Bell?
Snell didn't get No. 26, the same one he wore at Kentucky. That will be worn by new linebacker Mark Barron -- a former safety who qualifies for that number despite the NFL rules regarding such things -- meaning Snell had to settle for No. 24.
That will be about all for which Snell, a three-time 1,000-yard rusher and two-time All-SEC pick at Kentucky, will settle.
The fourth-round draft pick of the Steelers has his eyes set on big things in the NFL.
"When I was a little boy, I used to have this dream that I would run out on the field -- it was indoors -- and the lights are flashing and the fans are chanting my name," Snell said Friday as the Steelers kicked off their rookie minicamp. "I feel like it's bound to happen. Me being here, I feel like it's happening soon.
"I'm living my dream."
Perhaps. It sounds as if Snell's dream scenario would have to be played out in a Super Bowl-like setting.
For now, however, Snell has to earn a roster spot with the Steelers. As a fourth-round pick, that seems likely, especially considering the team has a need for backup help behind 2018 Pro Bowl running back James Conner.
After that, who knows? But Snell is looking forward to working with Conner.
"James Conner is amazing," Snell said. "I can't wait until I meet him. I get to learn from him, so I'm excited."
Snell seems like an excitable guy. And that's fine. When you score 48 touchdowns in 39 career games and have been an All-American player as Snell has, you've earned the right to be excitable.
He'll have to earn that right all over again at the NFL level. But the 21-year-old Snell, all 5-foot-10, 224 pounds of him, is ready to do that.
"I'm a playmaker. I'm a hustler. I try to finish my runs," Snell said. "I put forth effort in everything I do. I'll fill any role they need me to, all four downs, whether it's special teams, whether it's running the ball in close situations, goal line, first, second or third down, whatever. I want to be able to do what I can and show what I can do."
Special teams will be critical. If he's not the starter -- and he certainly won't be in 2019 unless something happens to Conner -- Snell will have to learn how to play special teams at the NFL level.
As the lead runner all three of his seasons at Kentucky, that was never asked of him. After all, he was a freshman All-American player with the Wildcats. Snell was largely the entire Kentucky offense.
But the Steelers also liked what they learned about Snell, the person. In fact, in their post-draft press conference, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin lauded Snell for his decision to play in his team's Sun Bowl victory over Penn State in January.
In recent years, a number of high-profile college players have skipped their team's bowl games if the bowl wasn't involved in the national championship series.
Snell not only played in that game, he dominated it, rushing for 144 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.
There's that number again: 26.
Like Bell, Snell has a gregarious personality. But the Steelers are hoping that the love of football he showed in his three seasons at Kentucky and his decision not to let his teammates down in their bowl game show he's different than their last running back to wear No. 26.
Snell appreciates the Steelers paid attention to his off-field exploits as much as he did on it.
"It shows that everything I did both leading up to Kentucky, as well as at Kentucky, it all paid off," Snell said.
"It's kind of fun they see the off-field Benny. It's a compliment. I like that."
DALE'S VIEW
Snell and third-round pick Diontae Johnson not only share the same agent -- which helped the Steelers get both signed quickly -- they were roommates at the NFL Scouting Combine.
And they're quickly becoming good friends.
That's great news for Steelers fans, who could fall for both of these guys in the not-too-distant future.
Snell, like Conner, is a banger, and we all know how Steelers fans love big, physical backs.
