Carolina Panthers’ running back DeAngelo Williams is one of only four running backs in NCAA Division I-A history to rush for more than 6,000 yards during his college career.
This week, Williams eclipsed the 6,000 yard mark in the National Football League as well, joining running backs Ricky Williams and Tony Dorsett as the only players to run for 6,000 yards in both college and the NFL.
Dorsett wound up rushing for 12,739 yards during his NFL career – while Ricky Williams rushed for 10,009 yards.
That’s a lot of ground to cover, right?
The only 6,000 yard collegiate rusher who didn’t top 6,000 in the pros? Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne – who statistically speaking is the greatest running back in Division I-A history.
Dayne – who finished his NFL career with “only” 3,722 yards – broke the NCAA career rushing record in 1999 (a year after Ricky Williams broke Dorsett’s record). He finished his regular season career with 6,397 yards – however Dayne also ran for 728 yards in four bowl games, giving him a whopping 7,125 yards during his collegiate career.
Not counting bowls, here are the NCAA’s all-time leading rushers …
Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (1996-99) 6,397
Ricky Williams, Texas (1995-98) 6,279
Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh (1973-76) 6,082
DeAngelo Williams, Memphis (2002-05) 6,026
Charles White, USC (1976-79) 5,598
Travis Prentice, Miami (Ohio) (1996-99) 5,596
Cedric Benson, Texas (2001-04) 5,540
Ladainian Tomlinson, TCU (1997-00) 5,263
Herschel Walker, Georgia (1980-82) 5,259
Archie Griffin, Ohio State (1972-75) 5,177
Avon Cobourne, West Virginia (1999-02) 5,164
Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois (2004-06) 5,164
Mike Hart, Michigan (2004-07) 5,040
Darren Lewis, Texas A&M (1987-90) 5,012
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3 comments
You say 4 in the first paragraph but only list 3???
Which Carolina quarterback is the leading passer in Gamecock history?
Had only Herschel Walker played 4 seasons, that record would probably still be his.