Running Back U: College Football's Top Running Back Schools
So far this month we've given you our rankings for Quarterback U and Linebacker U, and now we give you the ranking for Running Back U.
When it comes to the running back position, there are a handful of schools that have separated themselves from the herd.
In recent years, most fans will point toward the Miami Hurricanes, but in the long history of college football, many schools have produced massive quantities of star running backs.
Here are the top 10 running back producers of all time.
10. Penn State
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Penn State has become notorious for its running backs' failures in the NFL, but that doesn't cancel the fact that the Nittany Lions have still been one of the best producers at the position.
From Lydel Mitchell, John Cappelletti and Curt Warner to the infamous trio of Ki-Jana Carter, Curtis Enis and Blair Thomas, Penn State has had more star running backs take the field than almost any school in the nation.
9. Nebraska
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When you're talking Nebraska running backs, the list starts with Heisman-winning running back Mike Rozier, who rushed for over 2,000 yards in leading the Cornhuskers' 1983 squad that ranks as one of the best offensive teams of all time.
But when you also have a group with the likes of Ahman Green, Tom Rathman, Lawrence Phillips, Bobby Reynolds, Guy Chamberlain and Calvin Jones, the argument to be even higher up the list is a strong one—especially if you include Johnny Rodgers.
8. Wisconsin
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Wisconsin holds the honor of having the NCAA's all-time leading rusher, Ron Dayne. While Dayne's skills didn't translate to the NFL, there's no denying he's one of the all-time greatest college rushers.
He's joined by Anthony Davis, Billy Marek, Brent Moss, Terrell Fletcher and John Clay. You're probably going to want to include James White to the list in a couple of years as well.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Oklahoma
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Oklahoma has produced some of the greatest college running backs of all time, from Billy Vessels and Billy Sims to Adrian Peterson—who could have gone down as the best ever if he'd been able to stay healthy.
Steve Owens, Joe Washington, Greg Pruitt and Quentin Griffin are also on the must-mention list of the Sooners' All-American running backs.
6. Miami
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Perhaps no school has had as much success producing NFL-caliber running backs in recent history as the Miami Hurricanes. Not only has The U produced great college stars, but the success for many has translated straight to the pros.
Of course there's Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore and Willis McGahee, but you can't forget to include Ottis Anderson, Stephen McGuire, Alonzo Highsmith and Melvin Bratton.
5. Ohio State
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Between Howard Cassady, Archie Griffin and Eddie George, Ohio State has four Heisman Trophies to show for itself, but they aren't the only Buckeye backs to churn out production like few have.
Cassady won the award in 1955, Griffin won back-to-back Heismans in 1974 and 1975 and George took home the honor in 1995, but there's also Keith Byars, Pete Johnson, Tim Spencer, Beanie Wells and Maurice Clarett.
4. Texas
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Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell both won the Heisman for the Longhorns, but you could argue that Roosevelt Leaks and Cedric Benson deserved to win one as well.
There's also Priest Holmes, Jamaal Charles, Eric Metcalf, "Jam" Jones, Hodges Mitchell, Steve Worster, James Saxton, Chris Gilbert and Jim Bertlson.
Many think that 2011 top recruit Malcolm Brown will be the next to join the list.
3. Georgia
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Herschel Walker is considered by many to be the finest college football player of all time; obviously his tenure with Georgia carries serious weight.
Considering the fact that Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary spent most of their time with the Bulldogs buried on the depth chart, that should give you a good idea of how great this team has been at the position.
2. Auburn
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Auburn's list of running backs is headlined by Bo Jackson, who if not for a slew of injuries could have ranked as the best college running back of all time.
Most recent fans will instantly point to Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown, the duo who combined to turn the 2004 Tigers into one of the best teams of the 21st century. Both went on to become top five draft picks.
Add in Joe Cribbs, Brent Fullwood, Lionel James, James Brooks, Rudi Johnson, Stephen Davis and Willie Andrews, and it's hard to argue Auburn isn't the best of all time.
1. USC
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O.J. Simpson, Mike Garrett, Charles White, Marcus Allen and Reggie Bush have all won the Heisman trophy for USC—the most running backs to ever win the award for one school.
The Trojans earned the nickname of "Tailback U" back in the 1960s and 1970s in the John McKay and John Robinson eras. That's when Garrett, Simpson, Allen and White emerged, as well as Anthony Davis and Ricky Bell.
Pete Carroll revived the trend with Bush, LenDale White and Justin Fargas.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
