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Running Back A.J. Rose is Just Playing Football Again

Photo by Keyli Chisesi | Go Big Blue Country

 

LEXINGTON, Kentucky —

 

During Friday nights annual blue/white scrimmage, running back A.J. Rose showed what the fuss was all about when he arrived on campus two years ago.

 

Rose, a redshirt sophomore from Cleveland, Ohio, carried the ball 11 times for a game-high 134-yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 208lbs running back ran with a purpose on Friday evening but he’s been doing that all spring, specifically the last three live scrimmages.

 

“The last two scrimmages, tonight included, really felt like he took a big step,” said UK Coach Mark Stoops. “It was really important for him to come out tonight and back that up, which he did, and that’s really good to see.”



 

Rose came to Kentucky as a member of the Wildcats 2016 recruiting class and redshirted his first year on campus. His redshirt freshman season was believed to go a little differently but he could never gain enough momentum to consistently get on the field.

 

He finished the 2017 season with 15 carries for 37 yards but nine of those attempts came in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss to Mississippi State. Stoops and offensive coordinator Eddie Gran need something from Rose and they definitely could use a dependable runner to back up star running back, Benny Snell Jr.

 

“A.J., as I mentioned, I have a lot of confidence in his ability and what he’s been doing,” said Stoops. “He’s been working hard, and Coach Gran has been working with him, and it was good to see him have a good night.”



 

As for Rose, the game couldn’t have come at a better time. Friday’s performance could be a building block heading into summer workouts and eventually fall camp.

 

“It felt good to be out there and play in front of everybody, especially my family and friends,” said Rose. “I just tried to do what I did when I was in high school and just play football again.”

 

One thing working in Rose’s favor is his relationship with Snell. He and Snell are roommates and the conversations between the two have helped Rose find success on the field this spring.

 

“I just struggle to learn the offense,” Rose said following Friday’s game. “It’s different coming from my high school. We didn’t learn as much as I did here so I had to just really sit down and focus. But, being with my roommate Benny Snell, he really helps me a lot. When we are at home, just walk the fields, just learning it, getting comfortable so once I got comfortable I knew I could go out there and play.”



 

As happy as Rose is about his performance, Snell might have been even more excited to see his roommate breakthrough in front of the fans at Kroger Field Friday night.

 

“I’ve been waiting for bro to do that,” said Snell. He brings a lot of speed to the table and it’s going to be exciting to watch him.” 

 

Now, the question is should fans expect to see that type of performance from Rose the rest of the way and when the season opens at home on Saturday, September 1st vs. Central Michigan?

 

“Definitely,” said Snell. “Definitely.” 



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