Carolina Panthers: Top 10 Running Backs in Team History

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The Carolina Panthers are about to open up their 17th NFL season this weekend versus the Arizona Cardinals. The Panthers will be starting rookie quarterback Cam Newton and in order for Newton to succeed, the team must be able to run the ball effectively. 

Throughout the years, the Panthers have had up-and-down seasons running the football. In Panthers history, none have been as blessed as the two in their backfield now—Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.

However, where do these two rank in the top 10 Carolina Panthers running backs of all-time? Here is the list.

No. 10: Lamar Smith

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Position: RB
Height: 5'-11''  Weight: 230 lbs  College: Houston

Panthers Career Stats:

11 Games, 209 carries, 737 yards, 7 TDs, 20 catches, 107 receiving yards

Highlights:

Lamar Smith came via the Miami Dolphins prior to the 2002 season. He was a big bruising back who was having a fantastic season.

He was on pace for an 1,000-yard season before making a terrible mistake. Days before the Panthers' week 13 matchup verse the Cleveland Browns, Smith was arrested for a D.U.I. He has then placed on paid leave and would never play another down in a Carolina uniform. 

No. 9: Brad Hoover

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Position: FB/RB
Height: 6'-0''  Weight: 242 lbs  College: Western Carolina

Panthers Career Stats:

152 games, 284 carries, 961 rushing yards, 3 Rushing TDs, 145 catches, 1,046 receiving yards, 6 receiving TDs

Highlights:

Hoooooooooovvvvvvvveeeer! Brad Hoover was a fan favorite during his years as a Carolina Panther.  Although classified as a fullback, Hoover makes the list at No. 8.

During his rookie season, Hoover had his best rushing totals and even posted a 100-yard game on Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. He was more known for catching short passes, his reliable hands and blocking ability.

Hoover was a cog in the Panthers backfield for 10 seasons as the primary blocker for many of the running backs ahead on the list.

No. 8: Nick Goings

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Position: FB/RB
Height: 6'-0''  Weight: 222 lbs  College: Pittsburgh

Panthers Career Stats:

105 games, 400 carries, 1,470 rushing yards, 6 Rushing TDs, 110 catches, 880 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs

Highlights:

Nick Goings was an undrafted free agent who was originally brought in as a scat back and special teams player. However, injuries would force his role to expand. 

During the 2004 season, Goings was pressed into duty after Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster and Rod Smart all went down with injuries. Goings would lead the team in rushing yards and had his most impressive game in week 11 where he would rush for 121 yards and three scores. He led the NFL with five 100-yard games, while posting four consecutive 100-yard games in the season.  

Following the 2004 season, Goings would be used as a running back and fullback and was very versatile.  Goings never replicated his breakout 2004 season but remained consistent until concussions derailed his career.   

No. 7: Fred Lane

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Position: RB
Height: 5'-10''  Weight: 205 lbs  College: Lane

Panthers Career Stats:

42 games, 502 carries, 2,001 rushing yards, 13 Rushing TDs, 43 catches, 275 receiving yards

Highlights:

Fred Lane was an undrafted free agent out of, yes, Lane College. In his rookie season, he burst onto the scene gaining over 800 yards and seven touchdowns. After three seasons, he had already become the Panthers' all-time leading rusher.

Lane was known for several off-field incidents during his time in Carolina and was eventually traded to the Indianapolis Colts. However, months before the season, he was tragically murdered by his wife, Diedre Lane, in his Charlotte home at the young age of 24.

No. 6: Anthony Johnson

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Position: RB
Height: 6'-0''  Weight: 225 lbs  College: Notre Dame

Panthers Career Stats:

71 games, 482 carries, 1,795 rushing yards, 7 Rushing TDs, 103 catches, 816 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs

Highlights:

In six seasons prior to joining the Carolina Panthers, Anthony Johnson had rushed for a combined 1,059.  This makes his 1996 season that much more of a surprise.

In 1996, Johnson posted the first 1,000-yard season by a Panther and would lead the team to the NFC Championship game before losing to eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

Johnson would rush for 1,120 yards and catch 26 passes while reaching paydirt six times. Johnson was the first good running back in Panthers history and could make plays catching the ball as well as running.

No. 5: Tim Biakabutka

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Position: RB
Height: 6'-0''  Weight: 215 lbs  College: Michigan

Panthers Career Stats:

50 games, 611 carries, 2,530 rushing yards, 14 Rushing TDs, 77 catches, 789 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs

Highlights:

Tim Biakabutuka was a controversial pick for the Carolina Panthers in the 1996 NFL Draft. The Panthers passed on former Heisman winner Eddie George who went to the Houston Oilers (Tennesse Titans).

Biakabutuka never lived up to the hype of being a top 10 back as he was often injured and never played more than 12 games. However, in his six seasons, he did have some special moments.

His highest single-season yards total came in 1999 when he rushed for 718 yards. That year, Biakabutuka became the first running back to record two touchdown runs of 60+ yards in the same game.

Biakabutuka was a solid running back but, due to injuries, never became the player the Panthers and GM Bill Polian thought they drafted.

No. 4: DeShaun Foster

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Position: RB
Height: 6'-0''  Weight: 222 lbs  College: UCLA

Panthers Career Stats:

63 games, 851 carries, 3,336 rushing yards, 10 Rushing TDs, 126 catches, 996 receiving yards, 4 receiving TDs

Highlights:

DeShaun Foster was an electric running back best known for two highlight runs in the Panthers' 2003 Super Bowl run. 

The first was in the NFC Conference championship where he would break four Eagles tackles on a one-yard score where he simply would not be denied. The second was in Super Bowl XXXVIII where he scampered 33 yards for a score.

Foster was a second-round pick out of UCLA in the 2002 NFL Draft where the Panthers would also select star defensive lineman Julius Peppers. From 2005-2007, Foster posted three straight 875+ yard seasons and was a big part of the Panthers offense.

The only downside to Foster's career in Carolina was he was known to fumble the football more than one would like. When Foster did hold onto the ball, he sure was exciting to watch.

No. 3: Stephen Davis

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Position: RB
Height: 6'-0''  Weight: 230 lbs  College: Auburn

Panthers Career Stats:

29 games, 522 carries, 2,085 rushing yards, 20 Rushing TDs, 20 catches, 167 receiving yards

Highlights:

Stephen Davis was one of the biggest free agent signings in Carolina Panthers history. Davis came from the Washington Redskins where he posted three 1,000-yard seasons and was one of the best running backs in football.

At age 29, he landed in Carolina and would immediately pay dividends as he would help spearhead the ground game that would propel the Panthers to the Super Bowl in his first year.

That year, 2003, Davis rushed for a career-high 1,444 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while finishing in the top three for NFL MVP. Davis was a powerful back who would hit the hole hard and would always keep his legs moving.

The following year, he hurt his knee after two games and was out for the season. He was never the same player again and gave way to DeShaun Foster.

But for his role in the greatest season in Panthers history, Davis lands at No. 3 on the list.

No. 2: Jonathan Stewart

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Position: RB
Height: 5'-11''  Weight: 235 lbs  College: Oregon

Panthers Career Stats:

46 games, 583 carries, 2,739 rushing yards, 22 rushing TDs, 34 catches, 289 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs

Highlights:

No doubt, the top two rushers are Double Trouble. Jonathon Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, both first-round picks with very different styles of running, have helped the Panthers secure one of the best running games in football in recent seasons despite last season's struggles.

Jonathon Stewart was the 13th player selected overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. In three seasons, Stewart has posted impressive numbers while being the backup running back. He is a tremendous change of pace from starter DeAngelo Williams.

In Stewart's rookie year, he helped the Panthers to a first-round bye and a 12-4 overall record. He would also score on the very first drive of the playoffs before Jake Delhomme completely melted down, recording 6 turnovers.

Stewart is more of a power runner and is a force in the red zone. He is coming off his worst year, but still ran for more than 700 yards. Stewart looks healthy and should continue to be a beast for the Carolina Panthers.

No. 1: DeAngelo Williams

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Position: RB
Height: 5'-8''  Weight: 210 lbs  College: Memphis

Panthers Career Stats:

64 games, 841 attempts, 4,211 rushing yards, 31 rushing TDs, 118 catches, 922 receiving yards, 4 receiving TDs

Highlights:

Stewart's sidekick makes the list as the best running back in Carolina Panthers history.  There really is no argument, as Williams leads almost every statistical rushing category.

Williams is a lightning-quick, slashing runner who is a home run threat ever time he touches the ball.  DeShaun Foster's backup for two seasons finally got the chance to start in the 2008 season. Williams would not disappoint as he had one of the greatest years in NFL history.

Williams would run for 1,515 yards, 18 rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns. He followed that with another 1,000-yard season in 2009 while only playing in 13 games.

Last season was tough for Williams as he battled injuries and could only play in six games. This offseason, owner Jerry Richardson rewarded his back with a hefty contract.

The explosive runner is easily the Panthers' best running back ever and should continue to build on his young resume.