30 Best College Running Backs of All-Time
Career Statistics
- Games: 49
- Carries: 1,147
- Rushing Yards: 6,245
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 127.4
- Rushing Yards Per Season: 1,561.3
- Rushing Touchdowns: 49
- Yards Per Carry: 5.4
- Receptions: 59
- Receiving Yards: 541
- Receiving Touchdowns: 4
- Notable: All-American 1978-79, Pac-10 Player of the Year, 1978-79, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Heisman Trophy Winner, 1979
As a true freshman in 1976, White gained a school freshman record 858 yards and scored 10 touchdowns on 156 carries. He also caught six passes for 65 yards and a TD. The next season, White nearly doubled his production with 1,478 yards on 285 carries and scored seven touchdowns on the ground. He added 138 receiving yards and two more scores as a receiver out of the backfield.
In 1978, White was the biggest offensive weapon for the Trojans, who went 12-1 and won a national championship. White led the nation with 1,859 rushing yards on 374 carries and scored 13 rushing TDs. Factoring in 193 receiving yards, White also led the nation in total offense with 2,052 yards. He caught 22 passes and scored another TD.
As a senior, White became the third USC player to win a Heisman Trophy. Despite missing one full game due to injury, White still led the nation with an official 1,803 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Unofficially (once bowl game statistics were added), White had 2,050 rushing yards on 332 carries (6.2 yards per attempt) and scored 19 TDs. Following the season, White finished his career as the second most prolific ball carrier in NCAA history with 6,245 yards.
White was extraordinary, not only because of his production on the field but because he was able to keep his spot atop the depth chart while the No. 9 greatest running back in college football history patiently waited for White to graduate.
Next: Marcus Allen