30 Best College Running Backs of All-Time
Career Statistics
- Games: 56
- Carries: 544
- Rushing Yards: 3,820
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 68.2
- Rushing Touchdowns: 48
- Yards Per Carry: 7.0
- Receptions: 2
- Receiving Yards: 77
- Receiving Touchdowns: 0
- Notable: Heisman Trophy, 1978
Similar to Adrian Peterson a quarter of a century later, had injuries not cut into Oklahoma running back Billy Sims’ career, he might have become one of the top ten or top five greatest running backs in college football history. However, in his first three years on campus, Sims gained a total of 552 rushing yards and six touchdowns. However, after his historic junior and senior seasons, Sims left Oklahoma as the Sooners’ all-time leading rusher.
Sims was granted a medical redshirt after the 1975 season, in which he gained just 95 yards on 15 attempts. His ankle injuries persisted the following year as well, and Sims only carried the football three times for the Sooners and gained 44 yards.
Sims’ junior season was his best, and after rushing for 1,762 yards and led the nation with 20 touchdowns on only 231 carries (7.6 yards per attempt), Sims became the ninth player in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy as a junior.
In his fifth year of eligibility, Sims gained 1,506 rushing yards on 228 carries (6.7) and set a new personal best with 22 TDs, which led the country for the second consecutive season. He nearly won the award again in 1979 but was the runner-up to USC running back Charles White, who will make an appearance later on this list.
Next: Earl Campbell