12 best Gators running backs ranked in order

Sometimes, you don’t have a long way to go in your memory files to come up with something. Other times, well, you have to look it up.

I had to look this one up, so I will present it in the form of a trivia question: Who was the last Florida running back to be named all-SEC?

Now you are the one racking your brain.

Obviously, it has been a while and it will be a while before I give you the answer. He is included in the latest Dooley’s Dozen as I bring you the 12 best running backs in Florida history.

This was not an easy list because some of the best running backs ever at UF were not technically running backs (Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, Wes Chandler) and others had injuries that shortened their careers (Nat Moore).

Before we get to the list, it is important to recognize the passing of former UF running back James Massey, who played during the late ’80s subbing for the first player on this list and starting when No. 1 was injured. He died in a car accident earlier this week.

Without further ado, here is this edition of Dooley’s Dozen, focusing on the 12 best backs in Gators history.

1
Emmitt Smith

USA TODAY Sports

We can forget that Florida’s probation-riddled teams were 20-14 when he was here. Or that he would not be eligible for the Ring of Honor if he wasn’t in the NFL Hall of Fame. There was a buzz around this program when Emmitt got it rolling. He was all Florida had on offense and still put up numbers to be in the top 10 for the Heisman twice and SEC Player of the Year in 1989.

2
Errict Rhett

Scott Halleran/Allsport

Florida’s all-time rushing leader is the only player to lead the team in rushing yards four straight years. While everyone talked about the Fun ‘N’ Gun, Rhett was the thunder to Steve Spurrier’s lightning. The other day, he was telling me how the best thing about Rhett was the way he got stronger as the game wore on. I…