The Ultimate Top 5 College Football Running Backs of All Time

Running backs often seem to do a disproportionate amount of work and never receive enough glory. In reality, an excellent running back can change a team quicker than anything, especially an unstoppable running back.

Adrian Peterson

In his freshman year, Adrian Peterson had possibly the greatest freshman year as a college football running back than any player, past, present or future. He rushed for almost 2,000 yards and was a finalist for the Heisman trophy, according to Wikipedia. Though he was plagued by injuries later in his college football career, his yards-per-game average is one of the greatest ever. He is now considered by many to be the best overall player in the National Football League, and his NFL stats page on nfl.com can attest to this.

Ron Dayne

Ron Dayne may not have become a spectacular NFL player, but his college football rushing statistics are second to none. He won the 1999 Heisman trophy and has the record for most career rushing yards in the NCAA, according to Wikipedia.

Ricky Williams

Ricky Williams is known by many people for the controversy he caused as a professional football player with his curious choices outside of football. But there is no confusion about his college football playing career. He won the 1998 Heisman trophy and now holds 20 NCAA records, according to Wikipedia.

Ladainian Tomlinson

If all you knew about the college football running back Ladainian Tomlinson was that he led the NCAA in rushing yards during his junior and senior years, then that would surely be enough to put him into a list of top five college football running backs of all time. His professional football stats at nfl.com show him to be a remarkably consistent and prolific running back at the pro level too.

Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker won the 1982 Heisman trophy. Prior to that, he had one of the best ever freshman seasons by a college football running back where he ended up third in the Heisman trophy voting, according to Wikipedia. Herschel walker helped Georgia to an undefeated season and a national championship. He is considered by many to be the best college football running backs of all time and one of the top five best NFL running backs.

Sources

College Football, ESPN.com

Heisman Trophy winners, nationalchamps.net

College Football's leading rushers, about.com