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TSN's Top 10 College RB's of All Time

C-Man

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C-Man

C-Man 26535

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https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/cfb-150-top-10-running-backs-in-college-football-history/193h152qiky681bsfngdx45sr2?fbclid=IwAR2rkX6pIMn_45uaQw1tCSWbsC9VhZl07QQN7ORuasDvnslgl7-sVGRfZAk

What makes a great running back?

Regardless of how you measure that — whether it’s by combination of size, speed and natural ability, plays made, accolades earned, records broken or titles won — one thing is certain: You’ll know one once you’ve seen them.

So it is with this collection of individuals: players so celebrated, they kept deserving greats such as Adrian Peterson, Earl Campbell, Marcus Allen and Red Grange off our list, the fifth in a series celebrating college football's 150-year history.

It’s an imperfect science, but these backs impacted their teams and college football in such a way that they can’t be ignored. With that, Sporting News presents its list of college football's top 10 running backs of all time:

Honorable mentions

Jim Thorpe, Carlisle; Red Grange, Illinois; Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma; Billy Sims, Oklahoma; Marshall Faulk, San Diego State; Eric Dickerson, SMU; LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU; Earl Campbell, Texas; Marcus Allen, USC.

10. Doak Walker, SMU

No list of all-time great backs would be complete without the namesake of the Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation’s best rusher. The three-time All-American finished his career at SMU as one of the most decorated players of all time, winning the Maxwell Award in 1947 and Heisman Trophy in 1948. He was a precursor to today’s do-it-all backs, compiling 288 points, 2,076 rushing yards rushing, 1,786 passing yards, 454 receiving yards and 1,514 combined return yards on punts and kickoffs, all in 35 games played. Walker’s play was so mesmerizing that SMU moved its games to the Cotton Bowl in 1948 so more fans attend his games. “The House that Doak Built” twice added seats to handle the legions of fans who showed up to watch him play.

9. Ron Dayne, Wisconsin

Several great backs have called Wisconsin home, but none was better than Dayne, who rumbled through the Big Ten in one of the most statistically dominant careers in college football history. He used his 5-10, 250-pound frame to plow through defenders, but he was also a patient back who could outrun defenders with a smooth gait in the open field. He broke onto the national landscape as a freshman in 1996 with 2,109 yards and 21 touchdowns. He broke the 2,000-yard mark again as a senior, making him only the second player ever to twice achieve that feat. The three-time first-team All-American left Wisconsin with 7,125 rushing yards and 71 rushing touchdowns, which rank first and sixth all-time, respectively. Regarding his rushing mark: Dayne not only is 599 yards ahead of next-leading rusher Tony Dorsett, but also the only player to have crossed the 7,000-yard plateau.

8. Charles White, USC

White, a Los Angeles native, was the perfect back for the high-powered USC teams of the late ‘70s. The two-time unanimous All-American led the country in all-purpose yards as a junior and senior (impressive, considering he shared a backfield with future Hall of Famer Marcus Allen). White only got better over his career, culminating in a 1979 season that saw him rush for 2,050 yards and 22 touchdowns. He saved his best performances for the biggest stage, helping USC to three Rose Bowl wins and becoming only the second player to twice win Rose Bowl Player of the Game honors. In his last collegiate game, White put up 247 rushing yards against Ohio State in “The Granddaddy of Them All,” including a 1-yard touchdown plunge that gave the Trojans a 17-16 win and preserved their perfect 12-0 season. That remains a single-game Rose Bowl record, a fitting testament to his greatness.

7. Jim Brown, Syracuse

In 2019 — 63 years after he last played a snap for Syracuse — people still sing modern players’ praises by saying, “He looks like Jim Brown.” But from 1954-56, no one in college football looked like Jim Brown. He weighed in at 6-2, 212 pounds (sizable even for modern running back standards) and overpowered teams with rushing totals such as 197, 162, 155, 154 and 151 yards. But he was more than just a powerful rusher; he possessed a natural athleticism that earned him 10 letters across four sports at Syracuse. That includes track, basketball and lacrosse, in which he was considered the nation’s best. His sensational blend of strength, speed and ability ensures Brown will always be listed as one of the sport’s greats, regardless of era.

6. Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer offered this warning to his coaching staff as they prepared to face Oklahoma State in Bedlam in 1987: “You better hope Thurman Thomas doesn't get hurt,” he told them. He knew Thomas — a future Hall of Famer himself — had an even better backup by the name of Barry Sanders.

Sanders was considered a small back at 5-8. But that low center of gravity and his tree-trunk thighs made him a uniquely difficult player to tackle. Add to that a combination of breakaway speed, agility, elusiveness, vision and lower-body strength, and you have a player like no one else in the history of college football. Sanders showed glimpses of brilliance in 1986 and ‘87, but it all came together in 1988, when he put together the single-greatest individual season in college football history: 2,628 rushing yards (2,850 if you count his bowl game), 515 kick/punt return yards and 39 total touchdowns (44 with the bowl). That included four 300-yard games and seven 200-yard games. Players have tried to match those stats in more games per season, but those marks — like Sanders himself — may never be brought down.

5. Bo Jackson, Auburn

Even among the backs on this list, Jackson stands out as one of the most gifted players to ever grace the gridiron. The four-year starter at Auburn was the perfect blend of size (6-1, 227 pounds), athleticism, strength and speed: In one play, he could power through a defensive lineman’s tackle, sidestep a linebacker and streak by a safety for 70 yards and a score. You rarely brought him down with a single defender, and no one ever caught him from behind. The two-time All-American averaged 6.6 yards per carry for his career and won the Heisman in 1985 (along with a host of other accolades) on the strength of a 1,786-yard, 17-touchdown season. Yet as good a football player as Jackson was, his favored sport was baseball. That natural ability was so profound, it allowed him to become an MLB All-Star in 1989 and NFL Pro Bowler in 1990 — no surprise for those lucky enough to watch him play for the Tigers.

4. Archie Griffin, Ohio State

Detractors will knock Griffin’s lack of scoring at Ohio State (he only scored double digit touchdowns in one season), but he was so excellent at Ohio State that it’s impossible to ignore what he accomplished. The three-time All-American was the first player to start in four straight Rose Bowls and is the only two-time Heisman winner in college football history. He rushed for 1,577 yards, 1,695 yards and 1,450 yards in 1973, ‘74 and ‘75, respectively, setting NCAA records with 31 consecutive 100-yard games. He was also an accomplished blocker under Woody Hayes, who called Griffin “the greatest back I've ever seen.”

3. Ricky Williams, Texas

Blessed with tremendous speed and a love of physical contact, Williams was the quintessential Texas back. The first two-time Doak Walker Award winner also won the 1998 Heisman by what was then the largest percentage in the trophy’s history (43 percent). By the time Williams left Austin, he had 46 school records and 21 NCAA records, including career rushing touchdowns (72) and yards (6,279). No play stands out more in his sterling career than 

: Needing only 11 yards against rival Texas A&M yards to break the 22-year-old mark, Williams burst through the hole, broke a tackle, streaked down the left sideline, slowed down long enough to let a blocker clear his path, cut back and then powered through another defender for a 60-yard touchdown. And while that was certainly an admirable individual achievement, Texas fans will be doubly happy remembering it as part of a 259-yard effort that helped the Longhorns upset the sixth-ranked Aggies.

2. Tony Dorsett, Pitt

Dorsett left nothing unachieved in his four-year career at Pitt. He was a four-time All-American, three times as a first-teamer, who in 1973 became the first freshman in 29 years to earn consensus status. He set an NCAA freshman record with 1,586 rushing yards that year, later setting Pitt’s all-time rushing mark just three games into his sophomore season. The first four-time 1,000-yard rusher in major college football also had a knack for big games, such as his 303-yard performance against Notre Dame as a junior in 1975. As amazing as his first three seasons were, he topped them all in 1976 when he became college football’s first-ever 2,000-yard rusher, won the Heisman with 701 of 842 first-place votes and led the Panthers to their first national title since 1937. He left Pitt as college football’s all-time leading rusher with 6,082 yards — taking his bowls into account, he finished with 6,526 — and somehow continued that level of play at the professional level.

1. Herschel Walker, Georgia

“My God, a freshman!”

And with that 

, Herschel Walker would forever be a part of college football lore. Tennessee’s Bill Bates is unenviably remembered for his failure to tackle Walker, but no defender fared much better against the powerful runner from Wrightsville, Ga. He captured the nation’s attention like no one else, blending track speed and great strength in a fearsome 6-1, 225-pound frame. He played three seasons at Georgia, and was a unanimous All-American in every one. As a freshman in 1980, he helped the Bulldogs win their first national title in 38 years with a 1,616-yard season. He followed up with 1,891 and 1,752 yards in 1981 and ‘82, respectively, leaving Georgia with an absurd 5,259 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns. He also claimed 41 school records, 16 Southeastern Conference records and 11 NCAA records. After finishing third in the Heisman voting as a freshman and second in the Heisman trophy voting as a sophomore, he finally brought it home as a junior, joining Glenn Davis and Doak Walker as the only player to finish in the top three of the Heisman voting three times. What else would you expect from the greatest college running back of all time?    
 

 

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closetojumping

closetojumping 61996

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I guess any list like this has to include Archie Griffin and Ron Dayne, but I wish they didn't have to be included. I mean, yeah, they have numbers and trophies, but neither was an all-time great compared to the others on the list or other guys like Earl Campbell or Marshall Faulk. Also, I know he's a fucking murderer and piece of human shit, but OJ Simpson didn't even make the honorable mentions? I wasn't alive when he played, but I thought he was electric? 

I was lucky enough to watch Marshall Faulk at SDSU and I know that it's an also-ran school, but that guy was unfuckingbelievable to watch, and his NFL career proved it wasn't a small school fluke. I was surprised they listed him at all. He tends to get shorted.

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C-Man

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19 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

I guess any list like this has to include Archie Griffin and Ron Dayne, but I wish they didn't have to be included. I mean, yeah, they have numbers and trophies, but neither was an all-time great compared to the others on the list or other guys like Earl Campbell or Marshall Faulk. Also, I know he's a fucking murderer and piece of human shit, but OJ Simpson didn't even make the honorable mentions? I wasn't alive when he played, but I thought he was electric? 

I was lucky enough to watch Marshall Faulk at SDSU and I know that it's an also-ran school, but that guy was unfuckingbelievable to watch, and his NFL career proved it wasn't a small school fluke. I was surprised they listed him at all. He tends to get shorted.

Can't believe I forgot about Faulk. I'd take Griffin, Dayne (Jesus Christ), probably Charles White and Doak Walker off that list. I was really young when White was at USC and he rushed for 2000+ yards his senior year but I just can't remember him being as dominant as Earl or Dickerson even. 

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Cajun

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55 minutes ago, Whatever said:
1 hour ago, C-Man said:
No Earl?
giphy.gif

IMO Earl should he ahead of Ricky.

Um, yeah.  Both are top 10 easy, but Earl is the best ever.

Period.

No other RB separated more defenders from their precious  bodily fluids than the Tyler Rose.

Edited by Cajun
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RoyalBevo21

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God, I feel like Herschel Walker is the most over hyped college player of all time FFS. 

 

List of backs I'd take before Rob Dayne or Archie Griffin:

Ricky Williams

Earl Campbell

LaDanian Tomlinson 

Barry Sanders

Adrian Peterson

Reggie Bush

Thurman Thomas 

Marcus Dupree

Marshall Faulk

Herschel Walker

Bo Jackson

Darren McFadden

 

You get the point. 

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Onboard 2.0

Onboard 2.0 9083

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8 hours ago, RoyalBevo21 said:

God, I feel like Herschel Walker is the most over hyped college player of all time FFS. 

 

List of backs I'd take before Rob Dayne or Archie Griffin:

Ricky Williams

Earl Campbell

LaDanian Tomlinson 

Barry Sanders

Adrian Peterson

Reggie Bush

Thurman Thomas 

Marcus Dupree

Marshall Faulk

Herschel Walker

Bo Jackson

Darren McFadden

 

You get the point. 

Archie won heismans back to back I believe. I think that gives him some juice over many on your list.

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ImissWallyPryor

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13 hours ago, WhatTheBuck said:

All Internet lists are. If they weren't, they wouldn't generate discussion and clicks. 

And so people will pay attention, they have to be different from previous lists. I live in a town that was named by Outdoor Life (Field and Stream?) as the outdoors town one year, but some years isn’t in their Top 50. 

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ImissWallyPryor

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9 hours ago, RoyalBevo21 said:

God, I feel like Herschel Walker is the most over hyped college player of all time FFS. 

 

List of backs I'd take before Rob Dayne or Archie Griffin:

Ricky Williams

Earl Campbell

LaDanian Tomlinson 

Barry Sanders

Adrian Peterson

Reggie Bush

Thurman Thomas 

Marcus Dupree

Marshall Faulk

Herschel Walker

Bo Jackson

Darren McFadden

 

You get the point. 

Hell, I’d take Cedrick Benson before Ron Dayne. 

Edited by ImissWallyPryor
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SwanderedTalent

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This is not an argument pro any specific running back on that list, but how many of you ever saw Charles White or Archie Griffin play, in college? Griffin, who I love as a player, is just a scatback version of Ron Dayne-- he ran on first, second, and third down between the 20s behind an offensive line that overwhelmed inferior opponents. It is telling that Griffin has exactly zero games on his college resume where you can say "Ohio State would have lost but for Griffin's performance". 

I see Marcus Allen remains the most underrated college running back of all-time. 

As for Thurman Thomas or Marcus Dupree, get the fuck out of here with that shit. Jim Brown, as a college running back, can get the fuck out too. 

Not in order, but:

Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson, Ricky Williams, Earl Campbell, Barry Sanders are the five scary running backs, the "oh shit I don't want to have to defend that guy" running backs. OJ Simpson is on the fringe of this because of his top-end speed and you can insert your own reasons he's scary if you're a blonde hooker. 

 

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oSuJeff97

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16 hours ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Barry Sanders at #6?  M'kay.

I feel like this comes up a lot with these types of lists.

I don't think anyone would ever dispute that Barry Sanders' 1988 season was the greatest single season that any running back - maybe any player - has ever had in college football.

But since he was behind Thurman Thomas, that was the only year he was a full-time starter at RB.  (He was, however, first-team All-American kick returner in '87)

So I'll listen to the argument that other college RBs had better total careers, simply because they were multi-year starters.

But yeah - even given the single season, #6 seems a tad low.

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Sbbruin

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14 minutes ago, mr.goodkat said:

jamaal charles , cedric benson , adrian peterson , demarco murray , deuce mcallister,  marshawn lynch , darren fucking sproles > ron dayne . 

I think a lot of people just don't remember the Great Dayne's career.  The dude literally steamrolled people, Earl Campbell style.  Not saying he isn't a little overvalued, but the above quoted list is stupid.  Benson, Murray, McAllister, Lynch, and Sproles were nowhere near what Ron Dayne was.

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C-Man

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1 hour ago, SwanderedTalent said:

This is not an argument pro any specific running back on that list, but how many of you ever saw Charles White or Archie Griffin play, in college? Griffin, who I love as a player, is just a scatback version of Ron Dayne-- he ran on first, second, and third down between the 20s behind an offensive line that overwhelmed inferior opponents. It is telling that Griffin has exactly zero games on his college resume where you can say "Ohio State would have lost but for Griffin's performance". 

I see Marcus Allen remains the most underrated college running back of all-time. 

As for Thurman Thomas or Marcus Dupree, get the fuck out of here with that shit. Jim Brown, as a college running back, can get the fuck out too. 

Not in order, but:

Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson, Ricky Williams, Earl Campbell, Barry Sanders are the five scary running backs, the "oh shit I don't want to have to defend that guy" running backs. OJ Simpson is on the fringe of this because of his top-end speed and you can insert your own reasons he's scary if you're a blonde hooker. 

 

Agree with all of this. I did see White play but I was really young. The signature plays I remember of him were leaps over the line for TD's at the goal line.

The more I think about this, the more I acknowledge this is a really, really shitty list. The writer looks like he's no more than 30.

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Sbbruin

Sbbruin 21567

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1 hour ago, SwanderedTalent said:

This is not an argument pro any specific running back on that list, but how many of you ever saw Charles White or Archie Griffin play, in college? Griffin, who I love as a player, is just a scatback version of Ron Dayne-- he ran on first, second, and third down between the 20s behind an offensive line that overwhelmed inferior opponents. It is telling that Griffin has exactly zero games on his college resume where you can say "Ohio State would have lost but for Griffin's performance". 

I see Marcus Allen remains the most underrated college running back of all-time. 

As for Thurman Thomas or Marcus Dupree, get the fuck out of here with that shit. Jim Brown, as a college running back, can get the fuck out too. 

Not in order, but:

Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson, Ricky Williams, Earl Campbell, Barry Sanders are the five scary running backs, the "oh shit I don't want to have to defend that guy" running backs. OJ Simpson is on the fringe of this because of his top-end speed and you can insert your own reasons he's scary if you're a blonde hooker. 

 

I saw Charles White and Marcus Allen play, and yes, both were crazy good.  And the Juice?  Yeah, the Juice could get loose like few ever.

 

And fuck SC.

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