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15 college football players whose careers ended too soon

By Connor Muldowney

Aug 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Clint Trickett (9) throws the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter of the 2014 Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Clint Trickett (9) throws the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter of the 2014 Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; California Golden Bears cornerback Darius White (6) gets a smack on the helmet from teammate defensive tackle James Looney (9) after an interception by White in the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; California Golden Bears cornerback Darius White (6) gets a smack on the helmet from teammate defensive tackle James Looney (9) after an interception by White in the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Yet another running back to make the list. It’s clear that this is one of the hardest-hit positions on the field and these guys take a beating play in and play out. A perfect example of that notion is former All-Pac-10 running back Jahvid Best who was an absolute stud at Cal.

As a freshman, he was just fighting for carries, but he broke out as a sophomore, rushing for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging an astounding 8.1 yards per carry.

During a game in late-November of 2009, Best suffered what is now considered the play that essentially changed his life. He was making a diving attempt at the end zone against Oregon State when he was flipped into the air, landing on his head. He suffered a major concussion.

This was the scary concussion that essentially ended Best’s career:

Best would miss the rest of the regular season and decide to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL Draft. He was chosen No. 30 overall by the Detroit Lions and had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage as a rookie. Although he was electrifying, concussions forced him to retire after just a couple of years.

The former electrifying athlete has taken up a new sport and appeared in the 2016 Olympics as a track and field runner for Saint Lucia.

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