The Top 10 Tailbacks in Georgia History

Being a tailback at the University of Georgia is one of the greatest honors a young football player can achieve. If you play tailback, the place you want to play is Georgia, aka Tailback U.

I will go ahead and tell you the following backs did not make the list: Tim Worley, Charlie Trippi, Robert Edwards, Terrell Davis, and Theron Sapp.

The following slideshow contains the 10 greatest tailbacks to play for the Bulldogs. Believe me, there are tons of backs to chose from, which made this a difficult process. Hope you enjoy!

No. 10: Musa Smith

Musa Smith had a stellar career at Georgia from 2000 to 2002. Musa helped lead the Dawgs to the 2002 SEC Championship and rushed for a career total of 2202 yards.

While he was at Georgia, the Dawgs won six out of 12 games against the Big Four (Tennesse, Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech). The Dawgs also compiled a 29-9 overall record while he was in the backfield.

Smith was a member of the 2002 All-SEC team and was able to reach the top five of the Georgia record books in two categories:
1) Most rushes in a season - 260
2) 100 yard rushing games in a career - 11

No. 9: Willie McClendon

Willie McClendon led the Dawgs backfield from 1976 to 1978. He was a part of the 1976 SEC championship team and rushed for a career total of 2228 yards.

While he was in the backfield, the Dawgs' overall record was 24-10-1, including 0-2 in bowl games. McClendon was also successful against the Big Four, going 5-3-1.

McClendon made the 1978 All-SEC team and cracked the top five of the Georgia record books in two categories:
1) Most rushes in a season - 287
2) Average rushing yards per game in a season - 119.3

No. 8: Kevin McLee

Kevin McLee was the Dawg's tailback from 1975 to 1977. McLee was also a part of the 1976 SEC championship team while rushing for a career total of 2581 rushing yards.

Georgia's overall record while he was a tailback was 24-11, with a 6-3 record against the Big Four. His bowl record was a disappointing 0-2.

McLee did, however, make two All-SEC teams and was in the top 5 in the Georgia record books in three different categories:
1) Most rushes in a career - 562
2) Rushes per game in a career - 17.6
3) 200 yard rushing games - 1

No. 7: Thomas Brown

Thomas Brown was one of the smallest, but also one of the toughest tailbacks, to play for Georgia. He was a tailback from 2004 to 2007, and he rushed for a career total of 2646 yards.

Brown was a member of the 2005 SEC championship team and was a member of one of the winning-est classes to come through Georgia. His overall record was 40-11, 3-1 in bowl games, and was 9-7 against the Big Four.

Brown was able to rush into the top five in the Georgia record book in two categories:
1) Rushes in a career - 529
2) All-purpose yards in a career - 3750

No. 6: Lars Tate

Lars Tate was tailback from 1984 to 1987 and rushed for a career total of 3,017 rushing yards.

Tate was more of a power back, leading the Dawgs to an overall record of 31-14-3, a 1-2 record in bowl games, and a 5-7 record against the Big Four.

Tate was a member of two All-SEC teams and is in the top five of the Georgia record book in seven categories:
1) Rushes in a career - 615
2) Rushing yards in a career - 3,017
3) Rushing touchdowns in a season - 16
4) Rushing touchdowns in a career - 36
5) Total touchdowns in a season - 17
6) Total touchdowns in a career - 37
7) 200 yard rushing games - 1

No. 5: Frank Sinkwich

Frank Sinkwich is one of the beloved Dawgs. He was in the backfield from 1940 to 1942, winning the school's first National Championship in 1942. They won the SEC championship that same year.

Sinkwich was a two-time All-American and a two-time All-SEC team member. He led the Dawgs to an overall record of 25-6-2, a 1-2 record in bowls, and a 7-2 record against the Big Four.

Sinkwich made the top five in the Georgia record books in three categories:
1) Rushing touchdowns in a season - 16
2) Average gain per rush in a season - 5.28
3) Total touchdowns in a season - 17

Some probably are wondering why he is not higher than six. My reasoning is, he also played quarterback.

No. 4: Rodney Hampton

Rodney Hampton is special because he was the last tailback under Coach Dooley. Hampton was tailback from 1987 to 1989 and rushed for a career total of 2668 yards.

Georgia's overall record while Hampton was in the backfield was 24-12, a 2-1 record in bowls, and a 6-5 record against the Big Four.

Hampton made two All-SEC teams and is in the top five in the Georgia record books in seven categories:
1) Rushing yards in a career - 2668
2) Rushing yards per game in a career - 86.1
3) Average yards per rush in a season - 7.06
4) 200 yard rushing games in a career - 1
5) 100 yard rushing games in a career - 12
6) All-purpose yards in a game - 270
7) All-purpose yards in a career - 3582

No. 3: Knowshon Moreno

Knowshon Moreno is No. 3 on my list because if he would have stayed, he would have challenged some of the untouchable Georgia records. Moreno was the tailback from 2007 to 2008 and rushed for a career total of 2734 yards.

Moreno was a member of the 2008 All-American team and made two All-SEC teams. He led the Dawgs to an overall record of 21-5, a 2-0 record in bowls, and a 5-3 record against the Big Four.

Moreno's 100 mph style rushed him into the top five in the Georgia record book in 11 categories:
1) Rushes per game - 19.2
2) Rushing yards in a season - 1400
3) Rushing yards in a career - 2734
4) 1,000 yard seasons - 2
5) Rushing yards a game in a career - 105.2
6) Rushing touchdowns in a season - 16
7) Rushing touchdowns in a career - 30
8) Total touchdowns in a season - 18
9) Total touchdowns in a career - 32
10) Average yards per rush for a season - 5.6 and 5.38
11) 100 yard rushing games - 13

No. 2: Garrison Hearst

Garrison Hearst was tailback at Georgia from 1990 to 1992 and rushed for a total of 3232 rushing yards in his career.

Hearst made the 1992 All-American team and two All-SEC teams. He lead the Dawgs to an overall record of 23-12, a 2-0 in bowl games, and a 4-6 record against the Big Four.

Hearst holds one SEC and Georgia record:
1) Rushing Touchdowns in a single season - 19

He is also in the top five in the Georgia record books in 14 categories:
1) Rushes in a career - 543
2) Rushing yards in a single season - 1594
3) Rushing yards in a single game - 246
4) Rushing yards in a career - 3232
5) Rushing yards per game in a season - 140.6
6) Rushing yards per game in a career - 97.9
7) Rushing touchdowns in a career - 33
8) Total touchdowns in a career - 35
9) Total touchdowns in a season - 21
10) Average per rush in a season - 6.79
11) Average per rush in a career - 5.95
12) All-purpose yards in a game - 270
13) 200 yard rushing games - 1
14) 100 yard rushing games - 16

No. 1: Herschel Walker

If you did not know who the No. 1 was in this list, you have never watched a college football game in your life. Herschel Walker is not only the greatest tailback to play for the Dawgs, he is the greatest player in Bulldog history.

Walker led Georgia to three SEC titles and the 1980 National title. He was a member of three All-American and three All-SEC teams. He rushed for a total of 5259 rushing yards in his career and won the 1982 Heisman trophy.

He led the Dawgs to an overall record of 33-3, a 1-2 record in bowl games, and a perfect 11-0 against the Big Four.

Herschel still holds 11 SEC records and numerous Georgia records. His records include:
1) Rushing yards in a single season - 1891
2) Rushes in a game - 47
3) Rushes in a season - 385
4) Rushes in a career - 994
5) Rushing yards in a career - 5259
6) Rushing yards per game in a season - 171.9
7) Rushing yards per game in a career - 159.4
8) Rushes per game in a season - 35
9) Rushes per game in a career - 30.1
10) Rushing touchdowns in a career - 49
11) Total touchdowns in a career - 52
12) 200 yard rushing games - 9
13) 100 yard rushing games - 28

I know some might not agree with my list. The 2009 season is quickly approaching and maybe one of those tail backs will make this list one day. Please feel free to comment, if you agree or disagree.