Big 12 Football: 50 best players of all-time
By Randy Gurzi
player. 823. . RB. Wildcats . Darren Sproles. 20
Big 12 Football best players of all-time: 20. Darren Sproles, RB, Kansas State football
There might not have ever been a running back who was able to defy the odds quite like Darren Sproles. Standing just 5-foot-6 and weighing 180-pounds, Sproles had to overcome his size to even get a chance in the collegiate ranks. Many programs overlooked him, thinking his stature would prevent him from making it at the position.
Then, Kansas State came calling and they never regretted bringing him aboard. Sproles was electric for the Wildcats, recording 4,979 career yards with 45 touchdowns. He averaged 110.6 yards per game on the ground and averaged an impressive 6.1 yards per run.
Sproles’ best season was in 2003 when he was named a First-Team All American while also landing on the First-Team Big 12. That year, he led the nation with 1,986 yards rushing and had 19 touchdowns — 16 of which were on the ground, two were as a receiver, and one on punt returns.
He set many school records during his time and is one of the top rushers in conference history. Despite his sensational career, Sproles was still doubted in the NFL, lasting until the fourth round of the 2005 draft.
Sproles again proved the doubters wrong, playing 14 seasons in the NFL and winning a Super Bowl in 2017 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was also set the record for the most all-purpose yards in a single season when he had 2,696 yards for the New Orleans Saints in 2011 according to Pro Football Reference.
His ability to beat teams as a receiver with the Saints and Eagles is what made him famous in the NFL but for Kansas State, he was only scratching the surface when it came to receiving. Instead, he was a true running back who just made it look easy.