Top 10 Greatest College Football Running Backs
Some guys just ran the ball. These guys owned it. College football has seen its fair share of fast feet and bulldozing shoulders, but a handful of backs didn't just move the chains. They moved the game itself. Their highlight reels still get passed around like secret treasure, and their stats look like they were cooked up in a video game. You may have grown up watching them, heard stories from your parents, or maybe you only know them from old ESPN clips with grainy footage and breathless commentary. Still, their names carry serious weight among fans who know what real ground-game greatness looks like.So take a look, cast your votes, and rep the backs who made your jaw drop. Remind the world that your guy was the one no one wanted to face. College football has changed over the years. But one thing has stayed the same. There's nothing quite like a running back who makes the field his own personal playground.
Barry Sanders won the Heisman Trophy in 1988 after rushing for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in a single season at Oklahoma State. His 1988 campaign set multiple NCAA records. Sanders was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. Bo Jackson won the 1985 Heisman with 1,786 yards on 278 carries, which is a 6.4 average. Barry won the 1988 Heisman with 2,850 yards on 373 carries, which is a 7.6 average. Oh, and he had 42 touchdowns. He averaged 237.5 yards per game, and that was one season. His lowest yards per carry average was against Nebraska at 5.4. Nebraska was up 42-0 less than 19 minutes into the game and won 63-42 thanks to Barry running for 4 touchdowns.
In comparison, in 1981 Herschel Walker had 385 carries for 1,891 yards and 18 touchdowns. This was his best season, and he averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Barry had 18 touchdowns in his final 5 games of the 1988 season. If you include the bowl game, he had 5 more for a total of 23 in 6 games! For good measure, he averaged 7.81 yards per carry for a total of 1,694 yards. In those 6 games, he averaged 282 yards per game. That's running the ball, not throwing. These numbers are hard to duplicate in a video game!
To put into perspective just how good Barry was, in 2017 there was a post on Twitter comparing Barry's 1988 season to the top running back every week in college football. Barry still had better stats.
There is absolutely no doubt who the best college running back of all time is.
Herschel Walker won the Heisman Trophy in 1982 and rushed for 5,259 yards during his career at Georgia. He led the Bulldogs to a national championship in 1980. Walker was a three-time consensus All-American. Just look at his aggregate Heisman trophy votes during his entire career. He came in third his first year, second his second year, and won it his third year. Over three years, I'm not sure you can say that about the other leaders. Barry Sanders had one great year and was a backup his freshman and sophomore years. Marcus DuPree had talent, no doubt, but to put him over Herschel? Come on, man. This is not a vote on potential but actual accomplishments. Bo gets compared to Herschel all the time because they both played similarly, wore #34, and played in the SEC. The truth is Bo may have been the overall better athlete with consideration to his baseball accomplishments, but those shouldn't weigh in on the running back argument. "Oh, you Herschel Walker!"
Tony Dorsett won the Heisman Trophy in 1976 after leading Pittsburgh to a national championship. He rushed for 6,082 yards in his college career. Dorsett was a consensus All-American three times. The most underrated GREAT running back in history. You NEVER hear his name mentioned in the discussions of the best all-time runners, and that is a crime. People dismiss the fact that he was the all-time leading rusher when he left college and the second all-time leading rusher when he left the NFL. They also overlook the fact that he had incredible toughness and durability for a 180-pound running back - kickers are bigger than that these days.
Agree with everything said about Tony "D." My favorite running back of all time by far. Watching the 1976 season was really my first infatuation with football, where TD broke a long run every game. Sitting and waiting to see it happen was just as much of a thrill as it was watching it happen!
Bo Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 1985 while playing for Auburn University. He rushed for 1,786 yards in his senior season. Jackson finished his college career with 4,303 rushing yards. No one had the combination of power, blinding speed, moves, and the ability to be solid in pro baseball. Arm strength, home runs, stealing bases, hitting curveballs - only thing he didn't do was kickoffs and punt returns, didn't need to. ESPN got it right: G.O.A.T. Watch out for Fournette/Lau. Power, speed, moves, returns kickoffs.
Bo and Mr. Dupree, men among men, neither really trained, just god-given mixes of size, strength, speed, and smarts. Bo ran a 4.1 40-yard dash at an NFL combine, still a record to this day. Bo's entrance into the NFL was a "hobby" to keep him from getting bored in the MLB off-season. Not enough can be said about him in his college days. His stories are bunyonesque.
The greatest combo of strength, size, speed, and awareness ever. He didn't play as long as these others, but what he did when he played at full health was the best ever. Bo, Barry, Ron, and Herschel had better stories and careers, but this boy topped them all, and he did it behind a weak offense. He was all they had that freshman year of 1982. And of course, a still-standing Fiesta Bowl record for rushing, and he played in only half the game. Go see the highlights on the net. He was only at 50 percent with that hamstring problem. These other running backs below couldn't do half that with Marcus's injuries. These other running backs had good quarterbacks and wide receivers. OU didn't. So boo yah to all the haters with this argument. Case closed. Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 5,263 yards during his college career at TCU. He led the NCAA in rushing in 1999 and 2000. Tomlinson set an FBS single-game record with 406 rushing yards in 1999. He owns one of the best games in college football history. No doubt he should be on this list.
Ok, we are talking about college, right? This guy was electrifying in college!
Marcus Allen won the Heisman Trophy in 1981 after rushing for 2,427 yards in a single season at USC. He was the first player in NCAA history to rush for over 2,000 yards in one season. Allen also received the Walter Camp and Maxwell Awards. Marcus was a definite first down when you needed it. He was so smooth. Not considered fast and strong but hard to catch. Slashing through the defense. Did I mention he could catch and throw?
A tragedy that this great football athlete is underrated at the collegiate level as well as the pro level. A graceful runner leaving you amazed. Just ask the Washington Redskins!
Marcus was the business! 200-yard games, 300-yard games, and he mostly played as a backup his first two years.
Earl Campbell won the Heisman Trophy in 1977 while playing at Texas. He rushed for 1,744 yards and 18 touchdowns in his senior year. Campbell was a unanimous All-American. No question one of the greatest running backs of all time. He was big and fast. Wow. That's all you can say about this guy.
Out of all the RBs on this list, while he may not be the best, he is the one I would least like to try and tackle in the open field.
Besides Bo and Herschel, Earl Campbell is the next best.
Reggie Bush rushed for 3,169 yards and gained over 6,500 all-purpose yards during his career at USC. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2005, which was later vacated. Bush helped USC win two national championships. Every time he touched the ball, he made at least one guy miss. He was never tackled by the first guy. And if he got into the open field, it was an automatic six points.
He shared time and still was incredible. Imagine if he was the only back they used.
He was great to see on TV. Always electrifying!
O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 after rushing for 1,880 yards and 23 touchdowns at USC. He led the nation in rushing yards in both 1967 and 1968. Simpson helped USC win a national title in 1967. O.J. Simpson was a great running back throughout his college and professional career, but he is an awful person. Even though he was not convicted of murder, that is still what most people attach his name to, and he will never be able to shake that off. Really a shame considering how great of a player he was.
Yes, it is a shame that O.J. Simpson was accused of murder. But you can never take away something that was already accomplished. No doubt that O.J. was the best running back of all time. He did what he did against the best in college during his time. Period!
The Newcomers
Dude was an incredible talent! He didn't even play his senior year! He would have won the Heisman with ease if it weren't for his off-field troubles, which is the main reason some people may not even know who he is. Just look him up - man was unreal! Too bad he self-destructed and wasted his God-given ability!
Incredible talent. The guy made cuts and moves before the defenders even knew what was happening. Tough as they come, too.
I consider him to be in the top 3 of all time, among the backs that I've seen. Billy Sims #1, Barry Sanders #2, Phillips #3 - at least in college.
Took a maybe .500 team to an 11-2 season with an NY6 bowl win. Torched the #2 defense in the nation by putting up 206 yards on the ground against them.
If you account for modern schemes and defensive strategies, he might be second to Barry Sanders, but he definitely has a case for the #1 spot.
Ricky Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 1998 after rushing for 2,124 yards at Texas. He broke the NCAA career rushing record with 6,279 yards. Williams also won the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards. Respect to all previously stated, other than Reggie Bush. He was a track star that could catch the ball out of the backfield, not a running back. Smh at you guys that think he even deserves to be mentioned with these guys. Ricky is top 3, hands down. He broke all their records, they knew he was getting it, and it didn't matter.
I almost didn't comment because this list is so uninformed. But Ricky Williams is by far a Top 5 running back in college football history. Over 2,000 rushing yards his final two college seasons speak for themselves.
Should be top three at least, maybe best ever (modern era).
Better than Barry Sanders, period. If he never got hurt, he would be one of the best. Back when he got injured, you were considered done. So again, if he played today, he would have gotten good treatment and hopped back on the Lion. Rick Kane was the man for the Lions until Billy showed up. Rick Kane played at Amador High in Pleasanton, CA, San Jose State, and Oregon before Detroit picked him up. Also a track star. Talented!
Billy Sims was a 220-pounder with Barry Sanders' moves and Earl Campbell's power. How could he not be top ten? Come on now!
Pure power when he runs. He hits the hole as if he were being timed in the 40-yard dash.
Power, strength, agility. The hardest hole hitter ever.
Awesome in college. Outdid Billy Sims and got the Heisman. Another player not used correctly. Wasted talent. It took 10 years of part-time playing and his old college coach believing in him, and what does he do? He led the NFL in rushing. However, he was back in the powder and out of the league. Real sad!
Emmitt Smith rushed for 3,928 yards and 36 touchdowns during his three seasons at the University of Florida. He was named a first-team All-American in 1989. Smith set 58 school records during his college career.
I think he is the best player who ever played the game.
Are you serious? The only player in his class!
He is the greatest football player ever.
Eric Dickerson rushed for 4,450 yards at SMU as part of the "Pony Express" backfield. He set school records for single-season and career rushing yards. Dickerson was a consensus All-American in 1982. All the Rams had was Eric Dickerson running left and Eric Dickerson running right.
Rozier was the best, based on stats vs. actual playing time. Most of the time, Osborne would take him out in the third quarter once the Huskers had a comfortable lead, yet his stats are just as good as the guys on this list who played all four quarters.
Take his Heisman season and put it against any of these running backs. Rozier was the best!
Just look at his stats versus playing time.
Marshall Faulk rushed for 1,429 yards and 21 touchdowns as a freshman at San Diego State in 1991. He finished his college career with over 5,500 total yards. Faulk was a three-time consensus All-American. He compiled one of the greatest freshman seasons in NCAA history, gaining 1,429 yards rushing, with 23 total touchdowns (21 rushing), and 140 points scored. In one game, he rushed for 386 yards and 7 touchdowns.
I saw the Great Dane not even play in the fourth quarter of a lot of his games, and he still has the most yards of all time.
He was the best Badger running back of all time and the best freshman running back of all time (other than Jonathan Taylor).
Adrian Peterson rushed for 1,925 yards as a freshman at Oklahoma in 2004, finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting. He totaled 4,045 rushing yards in three seasons. Peterson was a consensus All-American as a freshman. His freshman year, 2004, was the greatest any freshman has produced. His power, speed, and phenomenal vision were as good as the game's ever seen! Peterson has been great at every level since he first picked up a football.
Even though he was injured, he was still undoubtedly a top ten college back of all time. Go look at his highlight reel. It's better than any other player's.
Nick Chubb rushed for 4,769 yards and 44 touchdowns during his career at Georgia. He ranks second in school history for career rushing yards. Chubb returned from a major knee injury to post consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Nick Chubb is a beast. He can truck like no other person.
Red Grange scored five touchdowns in a single game against Michigan in 1924 while playing for Illinois. He was a three-time All-American. Grange helped bring national attention to college football during the 1920s.
Leonard Fournette rushed for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns in his sophomore season at LSU in 2015. He finished his college career with 3,830 rushing yards. Fournette was a consensus All-American in 2015.
Larry Johnson rushed for 2,087 yards in his senior season at Penn State in 2002. He was a unanimous All-American and won the Doak Walker Award. Johnson was the first Penn State back to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season.