Who are the Texas Longhorns' leading rushers of all time? Know the legends who dominated the field
As Texas rolls through the 2024 season, it's a good opportunity to visit the Longhorns of the past. Texas has suffered a series of running back injuries, but that hasn't always been the case. In fact, Texas has had a pair of running backs who have won the Heisman Trophy. Here's a rundown of Texas's top five all-time rushers.
Who are Texas's leading rushers of all time?
#5. Jamaal Charles (3,328 yards, 2005-2007)
Jamaal Charles is best remembered at Texas for his massive 2007 season, in which he rushed for 1,619 yards and 18 touchdowns. A 5-foot-11, 200-pound back, he had track speed but could also run physically.
A third-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008, Charles rushed for another 7,563 yards and 44 touchdowns in the NFL. He was a two-time first-team All-Pro pick and played in four Pro Bowls. He had five 1,000-yard seasons in the NFL before he retired in 2018.
#4. Bijan Robinson (3,410 yards, 2020-2022)
After averaging 8.2 yards per carry as a freshman, Bijan Robinson rushed for 1,127 and 1,580 yards over the next two years at Texas. At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, Robinson ran strong for the Longhorns.
The eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Robinson had a strong rookie year with the Atlanta Falcons, rushing for 976 yards and also catching 58 passes.
#3. Earl Campbell (4,443 yards, 1974-1977)
One of the storied figures in Texas football history, Earl Campbell won the Heisman Trophy in 1977. He rushed for 1,744 yards and 18 scores in his senior season. Campbell's career numbers would be even better had he not missed a substantial chunk of his junior season due to injury.
The top pick in the 1978 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers, Campbell was the NFL MVP in 1979. A three-time first-team All-Pro in the NFL, Campbell rushed for 9,407 yards and 74 scores in the NFL. After running for over 1,300 yards in five of his first six seasons, injuries wore down Campbell's pro career but he's still a legend.
#2. Cedric Benson (5,540 yards, 2001-2004)
A rare four-year starter at Texas, Cedric Benson had four 1,000-yard seasons as a Longhorn. He improved each campaign, going from 1,053 to 1,293 to 1,360 yards in his first three seasons. As a senior, Benson rushed for 1,834 yards and 19 touchdowns.
At 5-foot-10 and 222 pounds, Benson was both a speed and a power runner in college. The fourth pick in the 2005 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, Benson didn't have quite the same level of success in the NFL. He did have three 1,000-yard seasons and finished his pro career with 6,017 yards and 32 touchdowns.
#1. Ricky Williams (6,279 yards, 1995-1998)
The man who rewrote the Texas record book is the only other Texas rushed to have four 1,000-yard seasons. Ricky Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 1998 after rushing for 2,327 yards and 29 touchdowns. It is worth noting that he had 391 carries that year.
Williams was nearly 5-foot-11 and weighed 244 pounds at the NFL combine. The fifth pick in the 1999 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints, Williams had a bizarre pro career. He did finish with 10,009 rushing yards and 66 touchdowns but had a very checkered NFL experience.
Which Texas stars do you remember? Share your memories below in our comments section!