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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang

Any list without Archie Griffin on it is wrong.

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

10-01-2009, 10:17 PM	#3
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	My last two came down to Sanders and Dorsett. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

10-01-2009, 10:53 PM	#7
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	That's why this is a great Mount Rushmore topic. Hardly anyone will agree on the four that should be enshrined. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

10-01-2009, 11:03 PM	#8
Mustang Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wisconsin	Any list without Archie Griffin on it is wrong. __________________ You, you will regret what you have done this day. I will make you regret ever being born. Your going to wish you never left your mothers womb, where it was warm and safe... and wet. i am going to show you pain you never knew existed, you are going to see a whole new spectrum of pain, like a Rainboooow. But! This rainbow is not just like any other rainbow, its...

10-01-2009, 11:43 PM	#10
Swaggs Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	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. __________________ DOWN WITH HATTRICK!!! The RWBL Are you reading In The Bleachers?

10-01-2009, 11:56 PM	#11
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Anthony Thompson. __________________ Author of The Bill Gates Challenge, as well as other groundbreaking dynasties.

10-01-2009, 10:11 PM	#2
DeToxRox Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Michigan	I'd switch Ricky with Dorsett but otherwise, that list is near perfect.

10-01-2009, 10:20 PM	#4
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	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.

10-01-2009, 10:23 PM	#5
RainMaker General Manager Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL	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.

10-01-2009, 11:11 PM	#9
Warhammer Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dayton, OH	Let's not forget what Marshall Faulk did while in college.

10-02-2009, 12:04 AM	#12
bhlloy Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003	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.

10-02-2009, 01:04 AM	#13
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	Ernie Davis?

10-02-2009, 01:11 AM	#14
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	RJ Bowers 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. Last edited by stevew : 10-02-2009 at 01:12 AM.

10-02-2009, 03:22 AM	#16
k0ruptr Pro Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Las Vegas	Wow, I never realized Travis Prentice was such a BEAST in college. __________________ Xbox Live Gamertag: k0ruptr My Favorite Teams : Chicago White Sox - Carolina Panthers - Orlando Magic - Phoenix Suns - Anaheim Ducks - Hawaii Warriors - Oregon Ducks

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