How Does Ezekiel Elliott Compare to Other tOSU RBs?

[matttank]

Just changed my vote from #2 to #1, and I'm voting on who I think is best and not greatest. Archie's accomplishments, which are included in my criteria for greatest, make him the greatest easily. But if we are starting a team from scratch, I'm going with Zeke first. Originally I had Eddie #1 and do think he is the best pure runner we've had, but Zeke's all-around game puts him over the top. He is literally the best blocking back I have seen, period (best at OSU before him I can remember was Jamar Martin). Can't wait to see what he does in the pros.

 

[LitlBuck]

I do not think that they threw the ball much in Woody's day so I do not know about Archie's pass catching abilities but I know that he never had to block very much and I saw him play in person.

I might put Eddie above Elliot but Zeke was a much better blocker and past receiver then George.

Zeke is #1 in my book and maybe that is a little unfair to the other guys because they played in different eras. Zeke might also be my all-time favorite Buckeye!

 

[NFBuck]

Problem with the comparisons isn't just the different eras, styles of offense, playing surfaces, etc ... but being completely honest here Beanie and Zeke tore through some astoundingly bad conference opponents. The pre-division B1G of Beanie's time was historically, hysterically bad. The post-division B1G of Zeke's time ... meh. Eddie played when the B1G was arguably at its top-to-bottom strongest than at any point since before WWII.

It's impossible to compare using stats. I will say though that Eddie and Zeke are the most complete RBs I've seen wear the S&G in my lifetime. They are 1a and 1b, and I'm not sure of the order.

The shitty conference argument is fair. However, Zeke obliterated some big time nonconference heavyweights, including his absolutely insane 3 game postseason run last year. I have a feeling even if the conference was a little stronger, he would have still run wild.

 

[RugbyBuck]

If he played his senior year, I don't think there'd even be a discussion. Best overall that I've seen and that was playing one season with a broken wrist.

 

[3yardsandacloud]

Glad I found my way to this thread. Interesting discussion. Guess the real question is the criteria you are judging by. I find it fascinating that the name Maurice Clarett isn't to be found in this thread. Maybe it is and I missed it. To a lesser degree, same for Robert Smith. I believe MoC still holds the freshman rushing record (and did so while missing 3 games due to injury). If the criteria is pure ability as a running back, I think MoC is easily in the top 5. Of course if you factor in the positive/negative effect that one has on the Ohio State football program and the university in general, I could see why you might want to forget MoC and to a lesser degree Robert Smith.

If the overall impact for the University and football program is at the heart of your decision, then clearly Archie Griffin and Charles "Chic" Harley are 1A & B with the A & B going to whomever you favor. Archie has clearly had the greatest long term positive impact for tOSU. In addition to his accolades, his years of sterling conduct and tireless ambassadorship (is that a word?) for the university are unrivaled. To a similar degree, the program we all love may not be what we love if it wasn't for Chic Harley. Our first 3 time all-american, a charter inductee to the CFHOF and a player that so inspired fans that the university decided to raise money and build Ohio Stadium (the house that Harley built).

I noticed that someone mentioned Keith Byars and how he is one of the few to have a good pro career. Seems to me that Robert Smith and Eddie George also had fine professional careers fwiw. For those that can't get behind Keith, I guess you just had to see it in person. While he might not be THE best running back in tOSU history, he well might be the best football player to play running back at tOSU. Guy could do it all and I firmly believe he could have (in a pinch) played ANY position on the field for the Buckeyes save defensive tackle and maybe cornerback.

As for the rest of it ... I have no problem if you think it's Ezekiel, or Archie, or any of the others really. It's nice to remember some of the greats and maybe no-so-greats that came to play on Saturdays.

 

[GovTressel76]

Honestly, I'm surprised this is even debatable.

 

[ShowMeBuck]

In addition to the career stats, Zeke had the best 3 game run of any running back in college football history in the '14 post season which helped win OSU a championship.

He's #1 in my book.

I was going to say this EXACT thing. Best 3 game streak ever which resulted in a NC. That coupled with his much higher YPC and it sums it up for me.

 

[colobuck79]

I put Archie at #1, Zeke and Eddie close behind tied for #2. No disrespect to Chic Harley, I just don't have anything to go by. We still play in the house that Chic built, so that says a lot. I was two years behind Archie and saw him play in all the home games and a couple of road games over that time. The thing about Archie, the other team knew what was coming. the vast majority of his yards were after contact. Woody often took him out after he reached 100 yards. No doubt that saved him from wearing down and injuries, but I wonder how many yards he would have had if he played more downs.

 

[3yardsandacloud]

... No disrespect to Chic Harley, I just don't have anything to go by ...

I get it. No one really saw him play and there's very little video and that's grainy/hard to see clearly. I think we (as a fan base) would do well to appreciate him though. Seems like he is lost in time to most of us.

tOSUs first win over Michigan ... after the game, Fielding H Yost asked for and was granted a rare moment to address the Ohio State team. "You deserve your victory, you fought brilliantly," Yost began. "You boys gave a grand exhibition of football strategy and while I am sorry, dreadfully sorry, that we lost, I want to congratulate you. And you, Mr. Harley, I believe, are one of the finest little machines I have ever seen."

"If you never saw him run with a football, I can't describe it to you. It wasn't like Red Grange or Tom Harmon or anybody else. It was kind of a cross between music and cannon fire, and it brought your heart up under your ears." - James Thurber

“It was really an honor to be a pallbearer for the greatest player in Ohio State history" - Archie Griffin

So many interesting and heart-breaking stories about the man. Here's a taste:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/history-lesson-chic-harley

 

[lvbuckeye]

"If you never saw him run with a football, I can't describe it to you. It wasn't like Red Grange or Tom Harmon or anybody else. It was kind of a cross between music and cannon fire, and it brought your heart up under your ears." - James Thurber

So, basically, watching Chic was like listening to the 1812 Overture.

 

[ExpatAkronite]

While maybe not the greatest certainly one of the greats. He defined three yards and a cloud of dust. No love for Jim Otis (OK, I had voted for Archie, may change it to Zeke. Didn't realize JO wasn't even mentioned>)?