30 Best College Running Backs of All-Time
Dec 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the 1968 Heisman Trophy of Southern California Trojans tailback O.J. Simpson (not pictured) at Heritage Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Career Statistics
- Games: 22
- Carries: 674
- Rushing Yards: 3,423
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 155.6
- Rushing Yards Per Season: 1,711.5
- Rushing Touchdowns: 36
- Yards Per Carry: 5.1
- Receptions: 36
- Receiving Yards: 320
- Receiving Touchdowns: 0
- Notable: Heisman Trophy Winner, 1968; All-American, 1967-68; Walter Camp Player of the Year, 1967-68; Maxwell Award, 1968
Had he played more than just two seasons at USC, O.J. Simpson may have gone down in history as the greatest college running back of all-time. With only three years to play because freshmen were ineligible, Simpson starred as a junior college player before transferring to USC prior to the 1967 season.
Simpson immediately became one of the best players in college football and led the nation with 1,543 rushing yards, 291 carries, and 301 plays from scrimmage. He scored 13 touchdowns, was named an All-American and won the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, and helped the Trojans win the national championship.
As a senior, Simpson again led the nation in carries, rushing yards and total plays from scrimmage, but added rushing touchdowns, total yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns. He carried the football an astounding 383 times for 1,880 yards and 23 scored and added 211 receiving yards on 26 carries. The performance earned Simpson the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and his second All-American and Walter Camp honors.
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