30 Best College Running Backs of All-Time
Career Statistics
- Games: 46
- Carries: 1,011
- Rushing Yards: 6,279
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 136.5
- Rushing Yards Per Season: 1,569.8
- Rushing Touchdowns: 72
- Yards Per Carry: 6.2
- Receptions: 85
- Receiving Touchdowns: 927
- Notable: Heisman Trophy Winner, 1998, Doak Walker Award 1997, 1998, All-American 1997, 1998, Big 12 Player of the Year 1997, 1998
One of the most productive running backs in college football history, Ricky Williams got better and better each season during his historic career. After rushing for 990 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman in 1995, Williams tallied 1,272 yards and 12 TDs as a sophomore. He then emerged as one of the nation’s best players as a junior and led the nation with both 1,893 rushing yards and 25 scores.
With 2,124 rushing yards as a senior in 1998, Williams posted one of the top ten performances in the history of college football at the time. That mark still ranks No. 11 on the all-time single-season list. His 27 rushing touchdowns led the nation and helped Williams win the Heisman Trophy.
Often underrated is Williams’ ability as a receiver out of the backfield. In four seasons with the Longhorns, Williams had 927 receiving yards on 85 receptions and scored three TDs. He never had fewer than 150 receiving yards in a single season.
Also, when his eligibility ran out after the 1998 season, Williams ranked second on the all-time Division I rushing list – behind only the No. 3 player on our list: Tony Dorsett.
Next: Tony Dorsett