College football: Ranking every Heisman Trophy winner

19. Ranking every Heisman Trophy Winner: Earl Campbell, Texas Longhorns football

Looking back on legendary running backs, whether it is from the college game or the pros, one cannot make a list of the best to ever do it without the name Earl Campbell being on it. Campbell was a guy who could run around or through the defenders and is one of those rare Heisman winners who actually had some success at the next level after dominating the college ranks.

A star right away for the University of Texas, Campbell began his career as a fullback before shifting over to be the team’s halfback. After two solid seasons for the Longhorns, Campbell suffered an injury his junior year but would bounce back in a big way for his final season on campus, a season that landed him the Heisman Trophy.

In his final season with the school, Campbell set a Southwest Conference record by rushing for 1,744 yards, all the while scoring 19 touchdowns. He led the Longhorns to an undefeated regular season, and while he lost to a Joe Montana-led Notre Dame team in the Cotton Bowl, Texas was still able to hang on to a No. 4 overall ranking that year.

For Campbell, he would finish off his career by becoming the first Longhorns player to win the Heisman Trophy and then would go on to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. One of the truly best running backs of all-time, Campbell set the Texas career rushing yard and rushing touchdown records before all was said and done.