Countdown to College Football Kickoff, Day 19: Eric Dickerson Runs Like a Mustang

With just 19 days left until the 2015 college football kickoff, we focus on the number 19 worn by one of the great running backs of all time, SMU standout Eric Dickerson.

ALSO READ: Countdown to Kickoff Day 20, No Tackling Dummy

We’ve covered some great running backs in our countdown to the college football kickoff, including Herschel Walker, Archie Griffin and Bo Jackson. But there may not have been a running back who was as talented, controversial and colorful as SMU’s Eric Dickerson.

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Number 19.

The funny thing is, Dickerson wasn’t even going to go to SMU. Originally he had committed to Texas A&M, and then stepped back and strangely decided against becoming an Aggie. At that point, his choices came down to Oklahoma, Southern California, and…

Southern Methodist?

Yes, SMU was in the mix for the ultra-talented tailback, but everyone knew it would end up being one of the big programs in the end.

Everyone was wrong.

But the commitment and eventual signing at SMU didn’t come without the first bit of controversy to surround Dickerson, as his recruitment was questioned by many when he began driving a shiny new Pontiac Trans Am during his senior year of high school…a car that was mysteriously “destroyed” when he de-committed from TAMU and took his talents to University Park.

To this day, Dickerson refuses to talk about whether or not the car was payment for his commitment to Texas A&M, stating, “Even if I did take something, I still wouldn’t tell.”

Your silence speaks volumes, Mr. Dickerson.

But once Dickerson was in place as a Mustang, the rest is history. Dickerson began shattering record after record in both University Park and in the Southwest Conference, rushing for 4,450 yards and 47 touchdowns, including a clip of 7.0 yards per rush during his senior season in 1982.

Unfortunately, that fantastic 1982 season was stacked up against both Herschel Walker and John Elway, leaving Dickerson third in the Heisman voting, thereby making him one of the best players in college history to never win the coveted trophy.

Dickerson’s 4,450 yards on 790 carries broke the great Earl Campbell’s Southwest Conference record for yards and attempts, and his 48 career touchdowns tied Doak Walker’s SMU career scoring record.

Those are a couple of great names to be mentioned against when talking about your college career.

Next: 2015's Top 15 Heisman Trophy Candidates

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