'Made Me Better!' Ole Miss Rebels' Ulysses Bentley Praises RB Coach Kevin Smith

The Ole Miss Rebels are very high on the potential of Ulysses Bentley thanks to running backs coach Kevin Smith.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss watched as Quinshon Judkins took his talents northbound to Ohio State and didn't flinch.

The reason? Ulysses Bentley's return to The Grove.

The Rebels enter 2024 with two runners who hail from SEC Country. One is Logan Diggs, a transfer from LSU with upside as a secondary runner after totaling 653 yards in 2023.

The other, Bentley, who now takes over as the leading man in Oxford as Ole Miss looks to lead a charge toward the postseason. But while Bentley has intrigue as the new leading man, he credits running back coach Kevin Smith for setting the tone in practice and pushing him to new heights.

“Having him in the room, he’s been the best at teaching us how to break different runs down and how to read different runs out to make it easier,” Bentley said of Smith during his recent interview on the "Ivey League' podcast last week.

Nov 18, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels offensive linemen Quincy McGee (67) and / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Smith, 38, has been here through it all with Bentley. Since he arrived from SMU, it's been the veteran running backs coach pushing him towards better results each season.

And yes, the results have been promising. Bentley quintupled his stats in 2023, rushing for 540 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also averaged 5.7 yards per carry, a first since joining the Rebels in 2022.

While being relegated to the No. 2 role, Bentley has been a capable No. 1 option. During his three seasons in Dallas, he totaled over 1,500 yards and 14 scores while averaging 5.8 yards per run. In 2020, Bentley was one of the top runners in the AAC with over 900 yards and 11 TDs.

Still, Bentley said he began learning the ins and outs of playing the position under Smith.

"He broke down the runs to me. I’m a fast and finesse guy," said Bentley. "I’m used to just getting the ball and going.

“When Smitty came in, he kind of slowed my tempo down.”

The Rebels running back room for now feels barren. Diggs underwent offseason knee surgery and could be out for the start of the new season. Bentley also hasn't been at practice after undergoing surgery to repair a lingering turf toe on his left foot.

Once fully healthy, Bentley plans on being a vital part of Ole Miss' run through the SEC en route to a playoff berth. After that? Hopefully the NFL. If all else fails, perhaps Bentley follows in the footsteps of the person who's shown him the tools of how to play running back in college football's toughest conference.

"(Smith) has definitely made it easier for me," Bentley said.