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

2. Ricky Williams (1995-1998)

There are two clear-cut greatest running backs of all time for the Longhorns. The first up is the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner and fifth overall pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 1999 NFL Draft Ricky Williams. Texas got its second Heisman Trophy winner at the running back position to conclude the 1998 season with Williams.

But that was just the start of the many accolades that Williams racked up during his electric college career with the Longhorns. He’s a two-time Consensus All-American, two-time Doak Walker Award winner, and 1998 Associated Press Player of the year.

Williams put up some of the most insane numbers you will see for a running back in the last few decades of college football. He ranks fourth in NCAA football history in career rushing yards (6,279 rushing yards), fourth in rushing touchdowns (72), and third in total yards from scrimmage (7,206).

Not only is Ricky one of the very best running backs in the program history for the Longhorns, but he is also one of the best at the position in all of college football.

1. Earl Campbell (1974-1977)

Legendary Texas running back that tops this list is also the first Heisman Trophy winner in this program’s history. The 1977 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick of the Houston Oilers in the 1978 NFL Draft, Earl Campbell, edges out Williams at the top of this list, granted not by much.

Campbell’s greatness is evidenced in the fact that he is both a College Football and Pro Football Hall-of-Fame inductee. He was elected throughout his collegiate and professional football career. During his four seasons playing for Texas, Campbell registered more than 4,500 total yards from scrimmage and 41 total touchdowns.

The production for Campbell obviously peaked during his Heisman Trophy-winning season in 1977 when he registered 1,744 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 111 receiving yards, and one touchdown catch. He led the country in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total yards from scrimmage, and total touchdowns in 1977.