Lists are fun. They can be quite the undertaking, especially when you want to try and rank 100 of anything. Especially something as subjective as the top 100 running backs of all time or of a certain time period. But that’s what Bill Connelly of ESPN attempted.
Over at ESPN, Connelly selected the top 100 running backs of the last 60 years (ESPN+). It’s not a perfect list by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s a strong attempt.
In particular, Connelly has four Wisconsin Badgers in his top 20. Not providing much context that Wisconsin has generally had elite offensive line play and have been a run-first team for, basically forever.
No. 1 on the list was Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders. The only running back to have played in the last 20 years to make the top 10 was USC’s Reggie Bush. Yes, Adrian Peterson was left out of the top 10. Worse yet, he was left out of the top 20. But more on that later.
Oklahoma had five Sooners featured on the list and there’s a decent argument that several more could have been included.
14. Billy Sims
Sep 24, 1977; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oklahoma Sooners running back Billy Sims (20) in action against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
A Heisman trophy and fifth all-time in rushing yards at the University of Oklahoma. Sims was at Oklahoma for five seasons, but didn’t take over as the feature back until 1978 and was the star for Barry Switzer and the Sooners in 1978 and 1979. In those two seasons, he averaged 1,634 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, averaging 7 yards per carry.
Sims rushed for 3,268 yards and won a Heisman in two seasons as OU’s feature back, but that doesn’t provide enough context. That he did that in barely 20 carries per game, and scored a touchdown on basically every 11th carry, adds a bit more. He was electric. – Connelly, ESPN
38. Greg Pruitt
Greg Pruitt (30), Oklahoma halfback,…
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