I-Back Heaven: Ranking the Top 50 Nebraska Running Backs of All-Time
The legendary I-back position is unique to the Cornhuskers. Four of them have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame—the first in 1954 and the last in 2006.
Ahman Green could one day be inducted, but where does he rank on my list? You'll just have to follow the show to find out.
Who was the first Nebraska running back to scamper for 1,000 yards in a season? The answer is within your realm of knowledge gained somewhere in this slide show.
Enough tough talk. Let's go.
50. DeAngelo Evans: As an Underclassman, He Had Tremendous Promise
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Evans was the No. 2 rusher next to Ahman Green for the 1996 Huskers—the nation's preseason No. 1 ranked team. Posting a team-high 14 rushing touchdowns, DeAngelo racked 776 yards for the season.
On 205 carries with a 5.2 yard average, he broke for 1,068 yards and 18 touchdowns in 16 games at Nebraska. He was the 1996 Big 12 Championship Game MVP.
Averaging 292 yards rushing per game—No. 4 in the nation—Tom Osborne's I-backs were very deep. A backup to the record-setting Green, and upset with the coaching staff, he bolted for Emporia State and sat out the 1999 season.
At ESU, Evans was even more electric—rushing the ball 203 times for 1,246 yards and 12 touchdowns.
49. Craig Johnson (1978-80): Backup to Jarvis Redwine, Rick Berns and I.M. Hipp
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As a senior, Johnson was ahead of Roger Craig on the depth chart in 1980 before being injured in the game against Colorado.
Johnson was teammates with Rick Berns and I.M. Hipp for two seasons before Redwine joined the team from 1979-80.
Teammate Andra Franklin was Johnson's fellow senior classmate.
On Nov. 4, 1978, Johnson rushed 10 times for 192 yards against Kansas. At 19.2 yards per pop, he still owns the No. 1 single game yards per carry average in school history—minimum 10 attempts.
48. Bill Olds: He Was Drafted by the Colts at No. 61 in 1973
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William Henry Olds was Nebraska's second leading rusher in 1971—next to Jeff Kinney.
Selected by the Baltimore Colts, he also played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles.
The fullback in the I formation, he blocked for Kinney and wingback Johnny Rodgers.
47. Gary Dixon: Teammates with Johnny Rodgers in 1972
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Dixon led the team in rushing with 506 yards in 1972—the season after back-to-back national championships.
1972, didn't slotback/receiver Johnny Rodgers win the Heisman Trophy? Yes.
46. Leodis Flowers: He Averaged 6.3 Yards Per Pop in 1990
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In 1990, Flowers rushed for 904 yards to lead the Huskers transition from the 1980s into the 90s.
It would prove to be the best decade in school football history.
Flowers was the first I-back decoration in what became Big Red's 1990s national championship arrangement.
45. Clinton Childs (1993-5): Double 'C' for a Double Dose of Cornhusker
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A senior with Tommy Frazier and Jeff Mackovicka on the 1995 team, he shared the I-back carries with juniors Lawrence Phillips and Damon Benning
There was also a certain freshman named Ahman Green.
Childs still holds the career rushing yards record at Omaha North High School—Husker receiver Niles Paul's alma mater—where Childs played from 1989-91.
44. Jeff Smith (1980-84): Like Jeff Kinney, He Was Drafted by the Chiefs
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Mike Rozier's backup, Smith rushed for 1,992 yards in his career as a Cornhusker.
With Rozier injured on the sidelines, Smith scored the potential National Championship Game tying touchdown very late in the fourth quarter in the 1984 Orange Bowl.
Nebraska was 12-0 and ranked No. 1 all year, but they were down by seven. Smith took the option pitch from Turner Gill and dashed for a 24-yard strike.
43. Jeff Makovicka: The Senior of the Sensational Flying Makovicka Brothers
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The older of the flying physical Makovicka brothers from Brainard—a town of 350—Jeff earned four letters from 1992-5 as a walk-on.
From 1995-8, his walk-on younger brother, Joel, also won four letters.
Eight-man high school football may be more than a fly-by-night thing, I guess.
Jeff Makovicka, a 5-11, 225-pound player, was a backup to Cory Schlesinger in 1994 when NU captured its first national crown of the decade, and was a starter in 1995 when the Huskers repeated.
42. Cory Schlesinger: As a Junior, He Was the 1993 Husker Co-Lifter of the Year
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A fullback by trade and a two-year starter, Schlesinger led the way for I-backs and toted the rock with power and precision.
An Academic All-Big Eight pick with a 3.44 grade point average, he scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in the 1995 Orange Bowl—a 24–17 win over Miami.
His performance sealed Tom Osborne's first national title.
With Donta Jones, Schlesinger was the 1993 Co-Lifter of the Year. Cory was drafted 192nd by Detroit in 1995.
41. Damon Benning: 1996 Orange Bowl MVP
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He played on the 1994 and 1995 national championship teams along with I-backs Clinton Childs, Ahman Green and usual starter Lawrence Phillips.
On Dec., 31, 1996, Benning carried the ball 15 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught one pass for two yards and returned one kickoff 23 yards.
He and Ahman Green are the only two Nebraska I-backs to win the Orange Bowl MVP. Benning won it in the game against Virginia Tech.
40. Monte Anthony: He Led the Huskers in Rushing from 1974-5
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Anthony racked 1,310 yards in two seasons in the 70s.
Preceded by Gary Dixon and Tony Davis as the team leader in rushing, Anthony was followed by Rick Berns.
Anthony was drafted in the eighth round by Baltimore in 1978.
39. Willie Greenlaw (1955-6): Laying Down the Law Against Defenders
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Greenlaw was one of those players who had his own speed named after him. "He has Willie Greenlaw speed," an old school player might say in describing the jets of another 1950s collegiate star.
He played for the Portland Seahawks after his Nebraska days were done.
In 1954 with a 7.6 yards per carry average, he led the Huskers in rushing. Greenlaw was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
38. Vic Halligan: Nebraska's 1st All-American
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In 1914, Halligan played at tackle, as well as in the backfield, on offense and defense. He was a three-time All Conference selection and was also a team captain.
He is a member of the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame (1973).
37. Berlin 'Guy' Chamberlain: Nicknamed 'The Champ' for a Reason
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While NCAA statistics are available before 1937, no official records were kept. Chamberlain probably broke a lot of them.
In 1915, Chamberlain became NU's second All-America honoree.
In 1914, he helped the Huskers beat Notre Dame and go undefeated—though they tied South Dakota. A friend of Jim Thorpe's, he is a member of the NU and NFL Hall of Fame—as an NFL player and coach.
He made the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1973.
36. Sam Francis: The 1st Pick in the 1937 NFL Draft, He Repped Brotherly Love
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Both a fullback and a tailback, Francis was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
A Husker from 1934-6, he was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 1972.
35. Bob Smith: A 1955 NFL Draftee in the Paul Brown Era
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Cleveland drafted Smith with the 181st pick.
He led the team in rushing in 1953 with 704 yards on 136 carries—5.2 yards per rack and five officials (touchdowns).
34. Andra Franklin (1977-80): A Member of the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame
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A starter since his sophomore season in 1978, Franklin rushed for 1,738 yards on 5.0 yards per pop in his career as a Husker.
He lettered four years and rushed 120 times for 678 yards as a senior.
33. Brandon Jackson: Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2007
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Jackson started 11 of 33 games—rushing for 1,431 yards on 291 carries and 14 touchdowns at Nebraska.
The backup to Ryan Grant, Jackson was also injured but won a Super Bowl ring in 2011 with the Packers.
He was, however, included in the team picture—it is alleged.
32. Joel Makovicka: The 116th Pick in the 1999 NFL Draft
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From 1995-98, Makovicka became one of the most decorated fullbacks in Husker history.
He broke Tom Rathman's record with 13 career touchdowns as a Nebraska fullback. Joel finished his career with 1,447 yards rushing and averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
A two-time first-team academic All-American, he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round in the 1999 NFL Draft and started 10 games as a rookie.
31. Clete Fischer: Drafted by the New York Giants in 1949
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Cletus Fischer was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
A Husker from 1945-8, he helped spearhead the modern era of American football at NU.
30. Frank Solich (1962-5): One of Bob Devaney's Original Recruits at NU
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Co-captain of the 1965 team, Solich still holds the NU single-game rushing record for fullbacks—204-yards.
As I-backs coach under Tom Osborne, Solich recruited and coached school career rushing yards leader, Mike Rozier.
As part of Bob Devaney's first recruiting class at Nebraska, Solich's playing career earned him induction into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
29. Dick Davis (1966-68): NU Hall of Fame Inductee with Hipp and Wiegert
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A fullback, Davis was elected to the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
He rushed for 1,477 yards in his career as a Cornhusker and was drafted in the 12th round by the Cleveland Browns in 1970.
In 1967, he led the NU in rushing with 717 yards—a high-power total for a fullback.
28. Joe Orduna (1967-8, 1970): Helped Tutor Jeff Kinney Under Bob Devaney
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Orduna was drafted in 1971 by the San Francisco 49ers. As a teammate of Jeff Kinney's, Orduna racked 1,968 rushing yards in his Nebraska career.
From 1968-71, Orduna and Kinney alternated leading the team in rushing.
The latter led in 1971.
27. Tony Davis: He Tore Through Defenses—Tear Away Jerseys and All
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With 2,445 career rushing yards, Davis closed his career as Nebraska's all-time leader. He passed Jeff Kinney's old record of 2,420.
"Tough Tony" was the third Huskers back to run for over 1,000 yards in a season.
He racked 1,008 in 1973.
26. Cory Ross (2002-05): He Was a Constant Threat in the Passing Game
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Ross was twice voted Nebraska Offensive MVP (2004, 2005).
He owns the school record for receptions (nine) and receiving yards (131) in a game by a running back, according to Huskers.com.
On NU’s all-time rushing list, Ross' 2,743 career yards ranked ninth.
25. Dan Alexander: The First Freshman to Win Nebraska's Lifter of the Year
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Rocker Chuck Berry owns a home in Wentzville, Mo., where Alexander went to high school. The latter rocked collegiate defenders and rolled over them.
Rushing for 2,456 yards and 20 touchdowns in 38 Husker games, Alexander was a four-year letterman—a strong one.
The 129th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, he was a member of the Titans, Jags and Rams before he joined the Arena League.
At Nebraska, he was named Academic All-Big 12 four times and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
24. Doug DuBose: Two 1,000 Yard Seasons in the 1980s
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A teammate of Tom Rathman's, DuBose led the team in rushing yards from 1984-85.
He averaged 6.2 yards in becoming the 10th Nebraska player to post 2,000 career yards.
He also became the third—after Jarvis Redwine and Mike Rozier—to have two different 1,000 yard seasons. After DuBose—Keith Jones, Ken Clark, Calvin Jones and Ahman Green performed the feat.
DuBose was the first Cornhusker to do so before his senior season.
23. Keith Jones: 'End Zone' Jones Did Big Things from 1984-87
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Stepping in where DuBose left off, Jones led the team in rushing for two seasons from 1986-87 and scored 27 rushing touchdowns.
Jones rushed for 2,488 yards in his NU career after becoming the No. 1 I-back in 1986.
He was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
22. Correll Buckhalter (1997-2000): Teammates with Donovan McNabb in Philly
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Buckhalter was eighth on Nebraska's all-time rushing list with 2,522 Yards when his career wrapped up in Lincoln.
With a career average of 54 yards per game, he played from 1997-2000 and posted 27 touchdowns for Big Red Nation.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
21. Dahrran Diedrick (1999-2002): Double D for a Double Dose of Shoulder Pads
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DARE-ren DEED-rick rushed for 1,299 yards in 2001, and he etched his name in seventh place in NU history for single-season rushing.
He led the Big 12 in rushing as a junior in 2001 finished with 2,653 career rushing yards to rank ninth on the NU career list.
Like the Huskers do, he played his senior season in 2002 with his degree completed in December 2001. As an undergraduate, he finished with a 3.165 cumulative GPA—majoring in criminal justice.
20. Jerry Brown: He Led the Huskers in Rushing from 1956-7
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As a fullback, Brown racked up 1,635 yards in his NU career and 1,088 from '56-'57.
He averaged 4.7 yard per pop in leading the team in rushing those two years.
After playing for the Huskers from 1955-7, he was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
19. Harry Wilson: The 68th Pick in the 1967 NFL Draft
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A Husker from 1964-66, Wilson was Solich's teammate. In his last two seasons, Wilson led NU with a 5.1 yard average.
As a sophomore, Wilson scored the only touchdown for Nebraska in the 1965 (10-7) Cotton Bowl loss to Arkansas.
He played in the NFL for three years—all with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1967-70.
18. Jarvis Redwine (1979-1980): Two-Time Hinky Dink Award Winner
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How appropriate for a Big Red football I-back to be surnamed Redwine. Jarvis was a two-time Hinky-Dinky Award winner as the Most Popular Cornhusker.
Strong wine is a mocker—the Bible says. Redwine's running made a mockery of many defenses. He rushed for 2,161 yards in his career at Nebraska.
Redwine transferred to Nebraska from Oregon State in 1978. To become eligible, he sat out the 1978 season. He was a first team All-American for the Huskers in 1980.
Redwine was drafted in the second round by the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.
Bobby Newcombe, left, later wore the number 12 jersey Redwine sported.
17. Bill 'Thunder' Thornton (1960-2): Nebraska's 1st African-American Captain
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Coach Bob Devaney's first star back, Thornton led the team in rushing from both the halfback and fullback positions.
According to Huskers.com, in 1962 he became Nebraska’s first African-American football captain. He was also the star of the game in the school's first bowl game victory (Gotham Bowl, 1962).
Also in 1962, he became the first African-American member of Nebraska’s historic Innocents Society—the chancellor’s honorary society for scholarship, leadership and service.
16. Tom Rathman: Two-Time Super Bowl Winner with Roger Craig
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Rathman is No. 1 at Nebraska for rushing yards by Husker fullback in a single season—881 in 1995. Known for breaking long runs, he averaged 7.5 yards per carry in '95.
Rathman also set the record at Nebraska for fullback rushing touchdowns (12).
He posted 1,425 rushing yards for his career as a Husker and went to the NFL, where he blocked for fellow alumnus Craig as a San Francisco 49er.
First with the Raiders, then with the 49ers, Rathman began coaching running backs in the NFL after he retired.
15. George Sauer (1931-33): 1954 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee
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Sauer was a fullback and in three varsity years, he rushed for 1,570 yards, passed for 701 and did the punting.
Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954, he played during the 1930s and was coach Dana Bible's star athlete.
Sauer's gospel was being inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Nebraska High School Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
14. Roy Helu Jr.: Hello NFL in 2011
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Helu Jr. set a school record for single-game rushing yards—307 against Missouri on Oct. 3, 2010. Nebraska's offensive MVP in 2009 and 2010, he was also a team captain in 2010.
Employing the Huskers' scholastic blueprint, he made the Big 12 commissioner's academic honor roll in the spring and fall of 2010.
Helu finished his carer with 3,404 yards—No. 4 on the school's career charts.
13. Marlon Lucky (2005-8): Wasn't for Good Luck, NU Would Have No Luck at All
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Lucky owns the Nebraska record for most receptions in a season (75 in 2007).
He finished his career with 2,393 rushing yards—ranking 17th at Nebraska. Lucky's 4,214 career all-purpose yards ranks fourth in school history—third among I-backs. Johnny Rodgers is No. 1 with 5,586 yards.
12. Ken Clark (1987-89): He Outshined Barry Sanders in the '88 OSU-NU Game
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Clark was a two-time All-Big Eight champion and gained 3,037 yards rushing in his career with a 6.1 yard average.
His longest touchdown burst was 73-yards against OSU in his junior season.
He led the team in rushing from 1988-9 and racked 1,497 yards in 1988—good enough for No. 5 on the Nebraska single-season rushing charts.
In 2008, he was inducted into the NU Football Hall of Fame.
11. Derek Brown (1990-92): Derek the 5-9 Did Great in Lincoln, Nebraska
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Brown posted 1,313 yards in 1991—No. 7 among I-backs for a single season.
He finished with 3,153 career rushing yards and 40 touchdowns, despite starting just 12 games in his stellar three-year scoring career.
He still holds the I-back record in the hang clean exercise (350 pounds).
10. Lawrence Phillips: One of the Fleetest I-Backs Tom Osborne Ever Signed
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Phillips rushed for 1,722 yards as a sophomore—No. 1 in school history for sophomores. Mike Rozier, in comparison, ran for 943 in his sophomore season.
With quarterback Tommy Frazier, he formed the most lethal backfield tandem in school history. Who can forget their performance against Florida in the 1995 Orange Bowl? Steve Spurrier remembers. Phillips went pro after that and Ahman Green stepped in.
In 1994, Phillips became only the second I-back in Husker history to rush for over 1,000 yards in 11 straight games.
9. Rick Berns (1975-78): From Full Back to I-Back for Tom Osborne
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In 1977, Berns was the starting I-back in his junior season until a hip pointer slowed him. I.M. Hipp replaced him.
The following year, Berns and Hipp became the first pair of NU running backs to gain over 1,000 yards rushing in the same season.
A 1992 inductee into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame, Berns graduated as Nebraska's all-time leading rusher with 2,704 yards.
8. Jeff Kinney: He Became Nebraska's Career Rushing Yards Leader
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Kinney was the Huskers' leading rusher in 1969 and 1971.
In the "Game of the Century" on Thanksgiving Day 1971, he rushed for 171 yards and four touchdowns.
The fourth touchdown put the Huskers ahead and sealed the final score—35-31. The Cornhuskers went on to win the national championship for the second year in a row.
He set the Husker career rushing record with 2,420 yards and touchdown record with 35. His career yards total broke the record of the next man on the list.
7. Bobby Reynolds (1950-2): His Career Rushing Yards Record Lasted Forever
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Before Reynolds arrived in 1950, the Huskers had not had a winning season since 1940. In only nine games, he rushed for 1,342 yards and became the first I-back to rush for over 1,000 yards.
A 1950 First-Team All-American, he is a 1972 Nebraska Football Hall of Fame inductee.
He was the second I-back to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (1984).
Injuries slowed him down, but he still set the NU record for career rushing yards—which lasted lasted 21 years.
6. I.M. Hipp: 'The World's Most Famous Walk-on Tailback' (1977-9)
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Hipp was a 1995 inductee into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame. His 1,301 yards rushing in 1977 ranks No. 8 for a single-season in school history.
Hipp became just the fourth Husker to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He joined Bobby Reynolds, Jeff Kinney and Tony Davis.
Hipp was the first NU running back to have back-to-back 1,000 rushing-yard seasons.
He closed his career as Nebraska's all-time leading rusher with 2,940 yards.
5. Calvin Jones (1990-3): Redshirt Big 8 Freshman Phenom
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Former I-back Calvin Jones is a fellow Nebraska Football Hall of Fame inductee with Keith Jones (2004).
As a redshirt freshman in 1991, Calvin ran for a record 294 yards and six touchdowns against KU—setting NU's single-game record.
Jones has managed to hold it for 203 games.
He rushed for 3,215 yards and scored 20 rushing touchdowns in his career at NU.
4. Ahman Green: Silent Assassin with the Rock Tucked Away
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Green became the third I-back to rush for over 1,000 yards in 11 straight seasons at Nebraska. He led the Huskers to another 13-0 record, a share of a third national championship in four years in 1997.
The Omaha, Nebraska native rushed for 1,877 yards and 22 touchdowns in '97.
The No. 1 rusher among the school's freshmen and juniors, he's No. 2 overall with 3,880 career yards and 42 touchdowns.
3. Johnny Rodgers: In the 1973 Orange Bowl, He Moved to I-Back
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Rodgers is the most decorated offensive player in Husker annals. Against Notre Dame to cap his electrifying career, he was lights out.
In the Orange Bowl, he dazzled the nation by devastating the Fighting Irish in the best-ever Heisman winner finale.
Usually a receiver, he surprised the football world by moving into the I-back spot.
He set an Orange Bowl record by racking five touchdowns—including a passing one by throwing a 52-yard touchdown strike to Frosty Anderson.
2. Roger Craig: Three-Time Super Bowl Champion with the 49ers
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Teammate of Jarvis Redwine, Craig Johnson and Mike Rozier, Roger was a 1989 inductee into the school's Football Hall of Fame.
He finished his career at Nebraska just three yards shy of Rick Berns for No. 3 on the NU career rushing list.
Craig was, however, voted to the All-Century Team at Nebraska as a starting I-back with the No. 1 player on my list.
1. Mike Rozier: Far and Away the Leader of the Nebraska's Storied I-Backs
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The single-season record holder for rushing yards, Rozier is the only I-back to win a Heisman Trophy.
Getting loose for 2,148 yards and 29 touchdowns in 1983, he became the only I-Back to win the award.
Rozier—Nebraska's career rushing leader—perhaps epitomes the I-Back position.
He elected to go to the USFL before he joined the NFL later. Catch me later, and I hope you enjoyed the show.
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