Lesson learned: A.J. Rose has better mindset going into fall camp this year
Nobody has ever doubted A.J. Rose's talent. But he would be the first to tell you that there was a steep learning curve when he arrived at Kentucky last year.
Learning the playbook, getting accustomed to the differences between high school and college, and adjusting to the mental aspect of the game in the SEC were all challenges for the explosive running back.
So when Rose spoke with CatsIllustrated.com over the weekend it wasn't surprising when he quickly referenced the mental part of the game as his primary focus.
“My mindset going into this camp is just to compete, compete and just play. No missed assignments, just know everything. Know all the game," Rose said.
Rose doesn't believe it was too much to grasp all at once last year. Rather, he seemed to indicate that he just didn't quite bring the focus level required to take everything in as a freshman.
Lesson learned?
"Last year during the last camp I really didn’t feel like I focused too much on it but this year I’m definitely all in,” he said. “I've definitely picked up the playbook really well. I really took control and went in on my own time studying what I need to know so I won’t have to think too much. I can just go out there and have fun.”
Rose trusts that Eddie Gran, with his strong track record of working with running backs at previous stops and even last year at Kentucky, can help him get to where he wants to go.
“Coach Gran’s an amazing coach. Just being with him, learning from him and everything. He really loves us as players. Really treats us as a son. Everything he says to me I take in and look to put it on the field,” Rose said.
With Benny Snell returning after a 1,000 yard season but Boom Williams no longer with the program, Rose knows there's going to be a heated competition with carries that will pit him against Sihiem King and perhaps Bryant Koback. Right now Rose and King are listed as co-second stringers behind Snell on UK's depth chart.
It will be a friendly competition, Rose said. But make no mistake about it: There's a competition.
“Oh it’s definitely competition but we’re all brothers. If one person messes up we help him out. It ain’t really too much. We all know that we all got a chance to play. It’s just whoever’s doing well at the time.”