Adrian Peterson. If it weren't for the injuries, he'd be in the "best ever" discussion.
Marshall Faulk would be a close second, as he compiled some amazing numbers for his career, albeit at a "mid-major" program: 4,589 yards (6.00 average) and 57 touchdowns rushing (6th best in NCAA history); 82 receptions for 973 yards and 5 touchdowns. Faulk is the NCAA career leader in points per game (376 points in 31 games, for an average of 12.1); and he is 6th in rushing yards per game (148.0) and 7th in all-purpose yards per game (180.5). Even with the great college production, Faulk's best days were as a pro, as he amassed 12,279 yards rushing, 6,875 yards receiving, and 136 total touchdowns during his 12-year career.
Beanie would probably be third. He possesses a unique skill set (speed, power, stiff arm, beard) which can make him unstoppable at times, but he has a history of nagging injuries that have hampered his abilities and limited his production even when he has played. Plus he has some problems with fumblitis. Fast for a big man, but he doesn't have AP's breakaway speed, and he's not exactly elusive in the open field.
Reggie Bush deserves to be in the discussion, but he is more of an "all-purpose back", as less than half of his 6,541 all-purpose yards came from rushing the football (3,169 yards and 25 TD's rushing; 1,301 yards and 13 TD's receiving; 1,522 yards and 1 TD on kick-off returns; 559 yards and 3 TD's on punt returns).
A lot of the names on the list put up great numbers but weren't necessarily great running backs. I'd put Eddie George, Emmitt Smith, Ron Dayne, Ricky Williams, and Ki-Jana Carter in that category. But productivity and durability do count for something....
Rashaan Salaam is clearly the worst player on the list ... one of the most overrated college players of all time, a totally undeserved Heisman winner (Steve McNair should've won it that year), and a colossal bust as a pro.
redbenn;1343188; said:
Eddie also benefited from running behind one of the greatest OLineman ever to play CFB in Orlando Pace.
Yep.
JXC;1343644; said:
Beanie Wells 16%? Really. 16% of you think he's the best college RB since Barry Sanders. Better than Eddie George? What are you smoking? I'd take Eddie over Beanie ANY DAY! I just can't see that. Beanie had a great career...and a great 2007, but come on.
See above. The Buckeyes' 1995 offense was just sick - Orlando Pace, Terry Glenn, Bobby Hoying, and Rickey Dudley to go along with Eddie ... and the rest of the OL wasn't too bad either, and Nicky Sualua was an excellent lead blocker. Yeah, Eddie put up the big numbers and won the Heisman, but his skill set was nowhere near Beanie's ... and Beanie's surrounding talent was nowhere near Eddie's.
mross34;1343206; said:
Is there anyone else other than the listed you'd consider?
Maurice Clarett. Not the most productive Buckeye running back, not very durable, and certainly not a great guy off the field, but he displayed more raw talent and instinct in his nine games than any other Ohio State back that I have personally seen ... and he led the team to a national championship, which Archie, Eddie, Beanie, and Keith were unable to do. And yes, winning it all does count for something.
Robert Smith was also supremely talented ... and definitely faster than any back on the list ... but he was stuck on some pretty mediocre Buckeye teams (15-7-2 in Smith's two seasons). He really blossomed in the NFL (6,818 yards (4.8 average) and 32 TD's rushing; 1,292 yards and 6 TD's receiving in just 8 seasons), and retired at the peak of his career (1,521 yards rushing, 348 yards receiving, 10 total TD's in his final season).
Of the Buckeye backs that I have seen, I'd rank them ... based mostly on pure talent ... something like this:
1. Archie Griffin - all the records, 2 Heismans, a true legend
2. Maurice Clarett - so talented ... the great "what if?"
3. Beanie Wells - a throwback to Earl Campbell
4. Robert Smith - so smooth and fluid ... but the supporting cast (and coaching staff) was little help
5a. Keith Byars - a broken foot cost him a Heisman and the Buckeyes a shot at a national championship in 1985
5b. Eddie George - very productive in a very productive offense ... but a lot of guys would have shined in that situation
5c. Tim Spencer - his 3,553 yards ranks 3rd at OSU (behind Griffin and George), and his YPC (5.52) is identical to Eddie's.
Who's the Greatest Running Back in the History of College Football?
