Ole Miss running back Ulysses Bentley IV is ready to make his move in 2023

In 2022, Ole Miss Running Back Ulysses Bentley IV was the odd man out in a couple of ways.

One, he was behind a pair of backs – Quinshon Judkins and Zach Evans – who combined for 2,503 yards rushing, a league-leading 1,567 of that for Q, the frosh sensation.

Two, early in the year, he broke a bone in his wrist area and was out for an extended period of time, playing in only six games. It was next to impossible to unseat those two once they got on a tear.

In short, the ’22 season, his junior year, was a source of frustration for the SMU transfer.

“As a team player, you always want to be out there helping your team,” said Bentley. “It was really frustrating to not be out there, sidelined with the injury. Even though Zach and Quinshon were doing great, I still felt I could help the team in some capacity.”

Water under the bridge and not something Ulysses cares to dwell on.

“That’s ancient history. I’m back and I’m better and I’m ready to go,” he declared.

Ole Miss running back Ulysses Bentley IV

Bentley started feeling like himself again in spring training.

“I thought I had a very good spring. Learned a lot last spring,” he noted. “I learned to use my speed more efficiently and learned to have some patience and slow down to allow holes to open instead of just bouncing everything outside all the time.”

His strengths surfaced in spring. His speed was always evident, but those 15 practices also showed Bentley has very good hands, he runs good pass routes and he has more power than was previously believed.

“I think Q and I will be a great 1-2 punch. He’s a power back with some speed and I’m a speed back with some power,” noted the 5-11 205-pounder. “This is the first time in my career I will be over 200 pounds and the strength and conditioning coaches have helped me develop more power, especially in my lower body.”

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Ole Miss RB Ulysses Bentley

What does he want to improve in August camp? He quickly responded with two words.

“Pass protection,” he said without elaboration.

Ulysses is also optimistic about the guys he and Judkins and whoever else earns carries will be running behind.

“We’ve got four starters back on the offensive line that blocked for over 3,000 yards rushing last year. A couple of them missed spring with injuries, but they are back now and I couldn’t have more confidence in them,” he asserted. “I also felt in spring they have developed more depth of guys who can really play.”

Like many other Rebel student-athletes, Ulysses is thankful for his NIL contract with The Grove Collective.

“The financial support all the players have gotten has meant a lot to all of us. The Grove Collective meets all our needs and that means a lot,” he closed. “It takes a lot of pressure off us. I am grateful to The Grove Collective and the fans who support it.”

Ulysses Bentley IV is penciled in as the number two back on the Rebel squad this year.

He’s determined to prove he’s got the goods of a number one back and to put 2022 in the rearview mirror for good.

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