VA
  • TGT on YouTube
  • About TGT
  • The TGT Team
  • How TGT rates
  • Responsible Gambling Advice
  • Contact Our Team
  • Writers Wanted
  • Content Disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
Contains commercial content
Billboard Left
Billboard Left
The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / Top 16 Running Backs in Big Ten History

Top 16 Running Backs in Big Ten History

The best ever!
Publish Date: 04/15/2023
Fact checked by: Mark Lewis

The Big Ten started using the name Big Ten in the early ’50s, ranking the top ten running backs from 1952-present.

16) Bob Ferguson, Ohio State Buckeyes

The 1961 Maxwell Award winner also finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting. Ferguson lost the 1961 Heisman Trophy by just 53 votes to Syracuse’s Ernie Davis. The Ohio State Buckeye was a unanimous All-American selection in 1960 and 1961. Ferguson accomplished all of this from the fullback position.

Video: 1961 Ohio State football highlights

1961 Ohio State football highlights

15) Lorenzo White, Michigan State Spartans

White was outstanding in 1985 and 1987 for the Spartans, and he helped the Spartans win the Big Ten championship with an incredible season. In 1985 and 1987, White finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, was an All-American and won the Big Ten Player of the Year Award. White led the Spartans to a Rose Bowl win over USC in 1988.

Video: Classic Tailback - Lorenzo White Michigan State Highlights

Classic Tailback – Lorenzo White Michigan State Highlights

14) Shonn Green, Iowa Hawkeyes

Green ran for 100-plus yards in every game of the 2008 season โ€” the only player to do so that season โ€” en route to 1,850 total yards and 20 touchdowns. He became Iowa’s first Doak Walker Award winner, was a unanimous All-American and led the Hawkeyes to an Outback Bowl win with his 3-touchdown performance in 2009.

Video: Shonn Greene: College's Best Running Back 2008

Shonn Greene: College’s Best Running Back 2008

13) Howard Cassady, Ohio State Buckeyes

In his career at Ohio State, Cassady ran for over 2,400 yards and was named the AP male athlete of the year in 1955; that honor meant that Cassady was considered the best male athlete in the entire country. In both 1954 and 1955, Cassady earned unanimous All-American honors. Cassady won the second Heisman Trophy for the Big Ten since the conference changed its name in 1953. Alan Ameche won the first in 1954, just one year prior.

Video: Big Ten Film Vault: 1955 Yearbook - Howard

Big Ten Film Vault: 1955 Yearbook – Howard “Hopalong” Cassidy Heisman Trophy Winner

12) Leroy Keyes, Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue finished in the top 10 of the final AP poll every year Keyes played there (1966-68), and the Boilermakers also won the 1967 Rose Bowl during that time. Those accomplishments are not typical in the history of Purdue football. Keyes almost won back to back Heisman trophies finishing second and third in consecutive years.

Video: Purdue Football | Leroy Keyes Tribute

Purdue Football | Leroy Keyes Tribute

11) Montee Ball, Wisconsin Badgers

Ball, a consensus All-American in 2011 and 2012, finished fourth in the 2011 Heisman Trophy voting. Ball won the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2011 and the Doak Walker Award in 2012. Ball helped lead the Badgers to three Rose Bowls.

Video: Ultimate Montee Ball Highlights - 2011 Season

Ultimate Montee Ball Highlights – 2011 Season

10) Eddie George, Ohio State Buckeyes

George won the 1995 Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Doak Walker Award and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Award. That year, George was also aย unanimous All-American selection. When George was the feature back for Ohio State (1994-95), he averaged 302 rushing attempts, 1,534.5 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdownsย per season. The only drawback for George is the lack of bowl wins as the Buckeyes were 0-3 in Bowl games with George in the backfield.

Video: Classic Tailback - Eddie George Ohio State Highlights

Classic Tailback – Eddie George Ohio State Highlights

9) Anthony Thompson, Indiana Hoosiers

Anthony Thompson finished second in the 1989 Heisman Trophy voting but won the most significant awards. Thompson won the 1989 Walter Camp, Maxwell, and Big Ten Player of the Year awards. The Indiana Hoosier was also a unanimous All-American selection in 1989. Thompson owned many records at the time of his graduation.

Video: Most Iconic Person: Anthony Thompson | B1G Football

Most Iconic Person: Anthony Thompson | B1G Football

8) Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin Badgers

In 2014 Gordon led the nation with 2,587 rushing yards โ€” the second-best total in NCAA history behind Barry Sanders โ€” and 29 touchdowns and won the Doak Walker Award. Gordon racked up 4,915 yards and 45 touchdowns in his career

Video: The GREATEST Rushing Performance in College Football HISTORY! ๐Ÿ’ฏ

The GREATEST Rushing Performance in College Football HISTORY! ๐Ÿ’ฏ

7) Mike Hart, Michigan Wolverines

Hart is just one of a very few to rush for over 5,000 yards in his big ten career. Hart set a Michigan freshman record with 1,455 yards in 2004, and as a junior, he totaled 1,562 yards. Hart holds several Michigan records, including carries (1,015) and yards (5,040) in a career and most games with over 100 rushing yards (28).

Video: Mike Hart tribute

Mike Hart tribute

6) Larry Johnson, Penn State Nittany Lions

Johnson only played for one season, but what a season it was! Johnson rushed for 2,087 yards (second all-time only to Dayne) and 20 touchdowns on 7.7 yards per carry in 2002, earning consensus All-American honors and the Doak Walker, Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy race, bringing elite size and speed to the backfield.

Video: Larry Johnson Penn State Career Highlights - 2K for LJ

Larry Johnson Penn State Career Highlights – 2K for LJ

5) Alan Ameche, Wisconsin Badgers

Alan “The Horse” Ameche won the first Heisman Trophy (1954) since the conference changed its name to the Big Ten (1953). Ameche held the NCAA career rushing yards record after completing his college career at Wisconsin in 1954. While Ameche played for Wisconsin (1951-54), the Badgers never finished lower than 15th in the final AP poll. Ameche and the Badgers lost the 1953 Rose Bowl to Southern California, 7-0, even though Ameche ran for a then-Rose Bowl record of 133 yards. Ameche was a stud at Wisconsin and is probably best known for his game-winning touchdown in the greatest game ever played, the 1958 NFL Championship game.

Video: Wisconsin's Alan Ameche awarded with Heisman Trophy as outstanding college footba...HD Stock Footage

Wisconsin’s Alan Ameche awarded with Heisman Trophy as outstanding college footba…HD Stock Footage

4) Saquon Barkley, Penn State Nittany Lions

Barkley finished his time at Penn State with 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns on the ground. He also added eight receiving touchdowns, which is elite for backs, putting him over the 50-score mark. He was a big part of Penn State’s Big Ten title run in 2016.

Video: The Human Cheat Code || Penn State RB Saquon Barkley Career Highlights แดดแดฐ

The Human Cheat Code || Penn State RB Saquon Barkley Career Highlights แดดแดฐ

3) Ron Dayne, Wisconsin Badgers

Dayne was the epitome of a workhorse running back, finishing with over 1200 carries for over 7,000 rushing yards. In 1999, Dayne also took home the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, the AP Player of the Year Award, the Doak Walker Award and the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Award. Wisconsin won the 1999 and 2000 Rose Bowls, which were Dayne’s junior and senior seasons.

Video: Classic Performances: Ron Dayne runs over UCLA in the Rose Bowl (1999)

Classic Performances: Ron Dayne runs over UCLA in the Rose Bowl (1999)

2) Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin Badgers

When you carry the ball more than 900 times and average more than 2,000 yards per season, you get to be No. 1 on this list. Despite running it a TON, Taylor averaged 6.7 yards per carry and scored 55 touchdowns while at Wisconsin. The big, speedy back finished his college career as the No. 6 all-time rusher in the NCAA and was the first player in history to rush for more than 6,000 yards in three years. He finished in the top 10 of the Heisman voting three times and was a unanimous first-team All-American and recipient of the Doak Walker Award.

Video: Jonathan Taylor Career Top Ten Plays | Wisconsin Football

Jonathan Taylor Career Top Ten Plays | Wisconsin Football

1) Archie Griffin, Ohio State Buckeyes

Who else could it be? Griffin is still the only man to win back-to-back Heisman trophies. Griffin, a unanimous All-American in 1974 and 1975, also won the Walter Camp Award in both seasons. In 1975, Griffin also won the Maxwell Award.

Video: Classic Tailback - Archie Griffin Ohio State Highlights

Classic Tailback – Archie Griffin Ohio State Highlights

Billboard Left
Billboard Left
Read Also
Top 17 Texas Longhorns(Football) Players of All Time
Today we look at the most incredible Longhorns of all time! In ...
Top-25 Running Backs in College Football History
I start off by saying that this list does not take into ...
BetMGM Promo
Top 20 College Basketball Point Guards of All Time
You win in College Basketball with guard play, and today we will ...
We got the Return of Celtic Pride Part I: How the 1983-84 Celtics returned to their heritage
The best bookmakers have now adjusted their odds for who will win ...
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
Grading every NFL teamโ€™s picks from the 2021 NFL Draft
Quickly, click away if youโ€™re going to get upset by reading draft ...
Sam Teets 2021 NFL three-round predictive mock draft 6.0
This is a predictive NFL mock draft and my final of the ...
Ranking the top 200 players in the NFL ahead of the 2021 season
This list isnโ€™t based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. ...
Lady Tygerโ€™s Tale: How Marian Trimiar Mauled the Boxing Establishment of the 1970s and 80s
To Feed the Ambition in Your Heart is Like Carrying a Tiger ...
Social Casino of the month
Stake.us - Sign up now! Sign up now!
Top Brands
Top Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.6/5
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games Review
4.6/5
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots Review
4.5/5
Pulsz.com
Pulsz.com
Pulsz.com Review
4.5/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games Bonus
Get $5 extra in FREE play
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots Bonus
7,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Pulsz.com
Pulsz.com Bonus
5,000 Gold Coins + 2.3 Sweepstakes Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Latest News
Top 16 Green Bay Packers of All Time
Once again just like the Steelers list, more ...
Top 11 Living Boxers: Who sits at the top Duran or leonard?
ย  ย This list only includes retired boxers Who ...
Top 10 Teams to not win an NBA Championship
They had Dirk Nowitzki in his absolute prime, ...
Betting Tips
06/01/2023 - 8:30 pm
Ball Arena
Tip:
Nuggets to Cover
Nuggets -8
FanDuel
05/29/2023 - 8:30 pm
TD Garden
Tip:
Heat to Cover
Heat +8
FanDuel
05/27/2023 - 8:30 pm
Kaseya Arena
Tip:
Celtics to Cover
Celtics -3
FanDuel
Our Latest YouTube Videos
Video: Boxing History 101: Randall
Boxing History 101: Randall "Tex" Cobb the Man who shut up Howard Cosell
Video: 1919 Cincinnati Reds: True Champions
1919 Cincinnati Reds: True Champions
Video: Boxing History 101: Abe Attell A Complex Champion
Boxing History 101: Abe Attell A Complex Champion
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now! Get your Bonus Bet now!
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....
Top Online Casinos
Top Casinos Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.6/5
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games Review
4.6/5
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots Review
4.5/5
Pulsz.com
Pulsz.com
Pulsz.com Review
4.5/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games Bonus
Get $5 extra in FREE play
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots Bonus
7,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Pulsz.com
Pulsz.com Bonus
5,000 Gold Coins + 2.3 Sweepstakes Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
FanDuel
FanDuel
FanDuel Review
4.8/5
PointsBet
PointsBet
PointsBet Review
4.6/5
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Review
4.5/5
Unibet
Unibet
Unibet Review
4.5/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Bonus
Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
PointsBet
PointsBet Bonus
5 x $50Bet Credits
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
Bet $1 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Bonus
100% up to $500
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Unibet
Unibet Bonus
100% up to $100
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterAuthor IconJosh SchwartzSamuel TeetsSimon Briffa
+8
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Author Icon
Christopher Carlson
Content Writer
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Chris Benedict
Chris Benedict
Editor
Author Icon
Malik Zorrok
Author
Author Icon
Daniel Kornhauser
Author
John Raspanti
John Raspanti
Author
Author Icon
Buddy Gibbs
Author
Brian Coburn
Brian Coburn
Author
Peter Bonahoom
Peter Bonahoom
Author
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....

If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into โ€œThe Grueling Truthโ€ sports shows, โ€œWhere the legends speakโ€

Contact us: contact@thegruelingtruth.com

Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.

21+NCPG
Move to Top
Close
Stake.us Exclusive Bonus
5% Rakeback
Promo Code
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Payment Methods
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Ethereum
Dogecoin
Highlights
  • Exclusive promo code: TGTSOCIAL
  • Play Plinko, Hilo, Crash and more!
  • Get Stake Cash bonuses every day!
Stake Originals
Dice
Crash
Plinko
Mines
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site