30 Best College Running Backs of All-Time
Career Statistics
- Games: 39
- Carries: 650
- Rushing Yards: 4,303
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 110.3
- Yards Per Season: 1,075.8
- Rushing Touchdowns: 43
- Yards Per Carry: 6.6
- Receptions: 26
- Receiving Yards: 272
- Receiving Touchdowns: 2
- Notable: All-American 1983, 1985; SEC Player of the Year, Walter Camp Award, Heisman Trophy Winner, 1985
One of the greatest pure athletes of all-time, Bo Jackson was obviously one of the best running backs in college football history.
An immediate impact player at Auburn, Jackson gained 123 yards and two touchdowns on just ten carries in his first career game and finished his freshman season with 829 yards and nine TDs on 127 carries. The biggest carry of Jackson’s freshman year was the iconic “Bo Over the Top” play that helped the Tigers beat Alabama 23-22 in the Iron Bowl.
As a sophomore, Jackson cracked the 1,000-yard mark with 1,213 yards on 158 carries (7.7 yards per attempt) and scored 12 times on the ground and added two touchdown receptions. Auburn finished the season 11-1, won the SEC and the Sugar Bowl, and Jackson earned All-American honors.
Bo missed a large part of his junior season because of a shoulder injury and was held to 475 yards and five touchdowns on just 87 carries. However, Jackson was back to full strength for his senior campaign, when he emerged as the nation’s best player and won the Heisman Trophy. In 1985, Bo ran for 1,786 yards and 17 touchdowns to earn All-American honors for the second time. Jackson’s 6.6 yards per carry over four years set an SEC record.
Had he not missed half the 1984 season, Jackson ranks much higher on this list. And, if not for a hip injury he suffered while playing for the Los Angeles Raiders, which cut his NFL career short, Bo may have gone down in history as the greatest athlete of all-time. Of course, Jackson is still in that discussion – he’s the only player ever to make it to a Pro Bowl and Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
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