Past Heisman Winners: The Top 5 Running Backs to Ever Win the Trophy

When we think of past Heisman Trophy winners, it's usually either QBs or RBs as those two positions are the most represented.

As for 2011, there are two RBs in contention: Alabama's Trent Richardson and Wisconsin's Montee Ball. If either one of them takes home the coveted trophy, not only do they become part of the Heisman club, but they would enter an exclusive list as some of the best RBs to ever play college football.

That being said, in honor of the Heisman Trophy and the RB position, here are the Top 5 RBs to ever win the award.

5. Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska

A triple-threat player at rushing, receiving, and returning, Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers is not only one of the greatest players in the history of college football, but he's arguably the best to ever put on the Cornhuskers uniform.

And despite being a RB, Rodgers was more known for his receiving and returning skills. When he won the Heisman in 1972, Rodgers only gained 267 yards on the ground but he scored seven rush TDs.

In addition, he had 972 receiving yards and another eight TDs. As for the return game, he pulled double duty on both punts and kickoffs. Rodgers compiled 1,465 yards on 74 returns which is an average of almost 20 yards per return his Heisman Year.

Easily versatile and one exciting player to watch.

4. Earl Campbell, Texas

The man has thighs that look like tree trunks, period.

Unlike Rodgers, Texas' Earl Campbell wasn't your versatile and explosive player, but his freight train-esque running ability took breaking tackles to a whole other level.

In Campbell's Heisman year of 1977, the Texas bulldozer gained 1,744 rushing yards on 267 attempts for a 6.5 yards per carry average, including 18 rush TDs.

And to prove even further how legit Campbell was, as a freshman he compiled 928 yards and scored six TDs averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Not only is that impressive coming from a freshman, but back then freshman weren't allowed to play until 1972.

So, for Campbell to come in and dominate, that's quite an accomplishment. It also wasn't surprising to see him dominate in the NFL.

3. Marcus Allen, USC Trojans

A dual-threat RB, USC's Marcus Allen is not only a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, but the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well.

While at USC, Allen recorded almost 4,700 rushing yards and scored a total of 46 TDs. His senior season, however, was a work of art.

It was like Vincent Van Gogh's final piece. In 1981 Marcus Allen gained 2,342 rushing yards, scored 22 TDs, and added 217 receiving yards on 29 receptions (one TD). His 5.8 yards per carry average is astounding considering he carried the ball 403 times (totaling 893 times for his college career).

And if some are still skeptical as to how great of an RB Marcus Allen truly was (college or pro), perhaps his improvisation skills will persuade.

2. Bo Jackson, Auburn

Because of how much of a fad Bo Jackson was and still is, the No. 34 should be replaced with "Bo Jackson." That's how much Bo Knows.

Now, his numbers may not be as high as Marcus Allen's, but Jackson also played for an Auburn team that was abysmal during the late 1970s. That is, until Bo came along and helped turn the program around in the 1982.

As a freshman he ran for 829 yards and scored nine TDs, and as a sophomore ran over 1,200 yards and scored 12 TDs. Through two years of college football, Bo was averaging 7.1 yards per carry, which is remarkable to say the least.

After a down junior campaign, Bo exploded in 1985 and Auburn had a Heisman Trophy winner. That year, Jackson accounted for 1,786 rush yards, 17 TDs and a 6.4 yards per carry average. For your college career, if you're averaging close to seven yards per carry, that's just insane.

If only he didn't have a career-ending injury with the Raiders, Bo could have been the greatest athlete to ever live.

1. Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State

After two years of college football, Barry Sanders had just 947 rushing yards and 11 total TDs. Then 1988 happened, and Barry had arguably the greatest single season in the history of college football.

There, he accounted for 2,628 rushing yards, 39 total TDs, and averaged 7.6 yards per carry. Unstoppable and unbelievable are just two of the infinite adjectives you can use to describe Barry.

It's arguably the greatest performance of any Heisman winner ever and is most certainly deserving of ultimate recognition.

As for the aftermath, Sanders went on to be one the greatest NFL RBs of all time.

Instead of trying to explain his greatness, just click the link and sit back, watch, and enjoy.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27