This is a list compiled of the best 10 running back’s from the Big 10 since the year 2000. Of course, there will be a few names that are left off the list for certain reasons. People’s opinions are always all over the place when it comes to ranking something, so I invite your thoughts. Unfortunately, I had to leave Ron Dayne off the list, even though his second Rose Bowl appearance in the 1999 season, drifted into the year 2000. Regardless, if “The Dayne Train” aka “Great Dayne” was a part of this list, he would be the unquestioned best running back to walk through the conference in the past decade, or so. Dayne could arguably be considered one of the best back’s in Big 10 history, if not the best. Either way, he’s not on the list…but the following players are on it, in descending order…
10. Maurice Clarett – Ohio State
A lot of people are going to hate me for this selection on my top 10 list, but you can’t question the ability. I can however question his decision making ability off the field, but that is for another article for another day. There was no doubt about Clarett’s gift to play football, as he exhibited in his lone year of college football…before complete extinction from this planet. The freshman set an all-time record for rushing yards by a freshman at Ohio State, with 1,237 and 18 touchdowns. Not to mention, Clarett led his Buckeyes to a 14-0 season and a National Championship against the highly-favored Miami Hurricanes. Clarett scored the game winning touchdown in the second overtime and also had the key defensive play of the game. He disappeared after sitting out his sophomore season in college due to NFL rules, then being drafted by the Denver Broncos. Regardless, Clarett made one of the greatest impacts in history on a college football team in just one season.
9. Marion Barber – Minnesota
Barber was equally as effective in his Minnesota career, as teammate Laurence Maroney. The two complimented one another very well in their one season together. Barber finished second in Minnesota school history with 32 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,269 yards on the ground in 2004 alongside Maroney, in Barber’s final college football season.
8. Rashard Mendenhall – Illinois
The back finished seventh in school history in rushing yards with 2,539 on the ground and 3,103 all-purpose yards over his college career. In 2007, Mendenhall was third in the Big 10 in all-purpose yards and was 18th in the nation in scoring. He also ranked second in the Big 10 in rushing yards and scoring during his final season at Illinois. The elite rusher finished just one yard short of a 2,000 yard 2007 campaign. Mendenhall rushed for 1,681 yards on the ground and had 318 yards receiving leaving him at 1,999 total yards. Similar to his pro career with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he had 13 touchdowns last season, he scored 19 times in 2007, showcasing his knack for finding the endzone. Mendenhall led his Illini team to the Rose Bowl in 2007 as well.
7. Laurence Maroney – Minnesota
Barber and Maroney make it two Gopher running backs on the top 10 list. His pro career may never have taken off like many envisioned, but when this guy was rushing the ball for the Minnesota, there were not many better than Maroney. He started just 14 games in his 36-game college career, but put up numbers comparable to anyone on this list. Laurence rushed for 3,933 yards and 32 touchdowns in his Minnesota career. His time was split over his first season in college, with his ultra-talented teammate Marion Barber. The two teamed up for one of the best duo’s the nation witnessed in 2003-04.
6. Shonn Greene – Iowa
He set the all-time record for Iowa running backs with 1,820 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns during his much heralded 2008 season. Greene ranked second in the nation in rushing yards per game with 142.3 on average per game. He ranks 11th in school history with 2,228 rushing yards after really not playing much his first two seasons in college.
5. Damien Anderson – Northwestern
The greatest running back in Northwestern history…don’t laugh. So they haven’t had much talent at that spot in the last few decades besides Darnell Autrey, but Anderson put up legitimate numbers in the Wildcat offense. During his career, Damien Anderson rushed for 4,485 yards and 38 touchdowns, easily the best single-season numbers in Northwestern school history. In 2000, he finished second in the nation with 2,063 total yards, behind only a guy named LaDainian Tomlinson. Ever heard of him?
4. Javon Ringer – Michigan State
The diminutive running back was explosive for the Spartans, racking up the second-most total yards in school history (4,398). Ringer was second in Michigan State history with 34 touchdowns scored too. He ran hard and packed a pop when tacklers approached him. His speed created mismatches all over the field, enabling him break off huge plays routinely. Ringer ironically back-ups a running back his college game pattered itself after, in the form of the Tennessee Titans own Chris Johnson.
3. Anthony Davis – Wisconsin
Nobody said it was going to be easy to follow Michael Bennett’s one stellar season and arguably one of the best running back’s in college football history and the unquestioned greatest back in Badger history in Ron Dayne. However, Davis made it look easy as he made a name for himself in his time with Wisconsin. Davis finished his career second in Badger football history, to only the legend Ron Dayne, with 4,676 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns.
2. Mike Hart – Michigan
The man who dethroned Anthony Thomas as the all-time leading rusher in school history, is oddly second on this list behind the man he passed at Michigan. Hart was spectacular during his Michigan career, as he rushed for 5,040 yards and 41 touchdowns. For such a small frame, Hart made the most out of his abilities. He was an explosive player and a winner. Mike Hart was drafted into the NFL by the Indianapolis Colts after his remarkable Wolverine career. I just don’t believe he made as big of an impact on his team and the Big 10 Conference, as the next guy did…
1. Anthony “A-Train” Thomas – Michigan
The number one player on my list is indeed the A-Train. Thomas not only had a standout college career but he also lived up to mass hype and huge expectations early in his NFL career. As a freshman at Michigan, he helped lead the Wolverines to a 12-0 season and National Title. He finished his college career as the all-time leading rusher in Michigan history, (before Mike Hart arrived) which is saying a ton for their rich history. He rushed for 4,472 yards on the ground and scored 55 times during his illustrious career. Thomas was drafted by the Chicago Bears in first round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He went on to win the NFL’s Rookie of the Year Award in 2002.
Just Missed The List…Michael Bennett, Beanie Wells
