Texas Football: 10 best running backs all-time for the Longhorns

10. Roosevelt Leaks (1972-1974)

For a good while, a good portion of the rushing records for the Longhorns were held by the former star Roosevelt Leaks. Single-game rushing yards (342), single-season rushing yards (1,415), and single-season rushing touchdowns (14) were just a few of the significant rushing records for Texas that Leaks held for timeframes ranging from three all the way up to 25 years.

In fact, Leaks would probably be higher up on this list if not for a devastating injury that cut short his final season in college in 1974. Leaks finished third in the Heisman voting during the 1973 season after registering 1,415 rushing yards and 14 rushing scores.

And before Leaks could truly contend for the Heisman Trophy in 1974, that aforementioned tragic injury ended his season before he could even reach 500 rushing yards.

Nonetheless, you have to include Leaks on this list as he had one of the best two-season runs in program history among Texas running backs. Leaks registered nearly 3,000 rushing yards in essentially just over two seasons, 5.3 yards per carry, and 26 rushing scores.

9. Eric Metcalf (1985-1988)

Eric Metcalf was one of the most dynamic and explosive skill position threats among any Longhorns player throughout the 1980s. He could do a lot of damage to opposing defenses by way of the rushing game or the passing game.

Metcalf could even be a threat in the return game, where he registered more than 1,000 career punt return yards and one punt return for a touchdown.

Most of Metcalf’s production obviously came on the ground. The three-time All-SWC running back registered 2,661 career rushing yards, 4.5 yards per carry, and 23 rushing touchdowns. But Metcalf was also one of the most productive running backs in program history in the receiving game.

Metcalf picked up nearly 1,400 career receiving yards while averaging more than 11 yards per catch, along with seven touchdown catches.