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View Full Version : Another Mount Rushmore: College FB Running Backs


cartman
10-01-2009, 10:10 PM
Time for another Mount Rushmore. This time the subject is college running backs. Ignore what they might have done or failed at in the pros, but focus only on their time on a college campus. You know the rules, only 4 faces can be carved into the granite.

To start things off, here's mine:

Earl Campbell
The Tyler Rose was the epitome of speed and power. Name another player that has run into Bevo, Texas's massive Longhorn mascot, and knocked the bull off of it feet! OU's coach Barry Switzer said that Campbell was the only player he ever saw that could have gone straight from high school to start in the NFL.

Ricky Williams
His legacy has been tarnished by his NFL follies, but in college he set the all-time rushing record. He had a ridiculous two weeks during his senior season against Rice and Iowa State, where he had back to back 300 yard games, carrying the ball 67 times for 668 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Herschel Walker
Helped lead Georgia to the National Championship his freshman year, and won the Heisman his junior year, after finishing 3rd his freshman year and 2nd his sophomore year. If he would have played his senior year, instead of heading to the USFL, he might have set and still owned the NCAA career rushing record.

Barry Sanders
Maybe he doesn't belong on the mountain, because his big splash came on one season of work. He spent his first two years at Oklahoma State backing up Thurman Thomas. However, one he got the starting nod, he really put his stamp on a spot. He set the single season record, racking up 2,628 yards, averaging over 200 per game, and had 4 games of over 300 yards. He also scored 39 touchdowns that year. With seemingly nothing left to prove, he entered the draft, where he was a member of the legendary 1989 class.

DeToxRox
10-01-2009, 10:11 PM
I'd switch Ricky with Dorsett but otherwise, that list is near perfect.

cartman
10-01-2009, 10:17 PM
My last two came down to Sanders and Dorsett.

MrBug708
10-01-2009, 10:20 PM
I'd probably put Ron Dayne before Ricky Williams. But I wouldn't put Ron Dayne on there either.

You can probably find 4 RB's from USC to place on that list.

RainMaker
10-01-2009, 10:23 PM
You guys are nuts. Red Grange is #1 on the list. I'd also add Dorsett who was a monster in college. I'd dump Williams who doesn't belong anywhere on the list and probably Campbell as well.

RomaGoth
10-01-2009, 10:48 PM
What about Billy Sims and Reggie Bush?

cartman
10-01-2009, 10:53 PM
That's why this is a great Mount Rushmore topic. Hardly anyone will agree on the four that should be enshrined.

Mustang
10-01-2009, 11:03 PM
Any list without Archie Griffin on it is wrong.

Warhammer
10-01-2009, 11:11 PM
Let's not forget what Marshall Faulk did while in college.

Swaggs
10-01-2009, 11:43 PM
There's almost not even an obvious pick or two (usually, there is at least one automatic pick).

Herschel Walker and Tony Dorsett were the first two to pop into my mind. Barry Sanders had one of the best seasons ever, but only started for one season. Archie Griffin should probably be a no brainer, but he seems to be largely forgotten because he didn't have an overly impressive NFL career.

Lots to pick from just in the past 30-years or so.

Kodos
10-01-2009, 11:56 PM
Anthony Thompson.

bhlloy
10-02-2009, 12:04 AM
Archie Griffin has got to be there. Even if it is a subjective vote, he did something no other player (let alone RB) ever did. His stats are maybe a little worse than some of the other guys under consideration but he nearly had 4 1,000 yard seasons.

Walker and Williams I agree on. I'm interested to know why Ricky doesn't belong anywhere near the list - #2 in both TD's and yards all time.

Dorsett is #4 for me.

And it absolutely KILLS me to leave Reggie Bush and Charles White off the list, but they just don't have the body of work the other 4 do IMO.

Lathum
10-02-2009, 01:04 AM
Ernie Davis?

stevew
10-02-2009, 01:11 AM
RJ Bowers (http://www2.gcc.edu/sports/Football/rjbowers.htm)

heh-Dude was about 27 and playing against Div 3 kids. He'd played minor league baseball for 3-4 years IIRC.

Still, 7300 yards is nothing to scoff at.

:)

Chief Rum
10-02-2009, 01:22 AM
Any list without Archie Griffin on it is wrong.

Ditto. Only two time Heisman winner in history. How on Earth did this thread get through 8 posts without mentioning him?

k0ruptr
10-02-2009, 03:22 AM
Wow, I never realized Travis Prentice was such a BEAST in college.

hoopsguy
10-02-2009, 07:47 AM
Any list without Archie Griffin on it is wrong.

I was wondering when someone would bring up this point. Thank you, Mustang.