Heisman Trophy Winners: Top 20 NFL careers of all time
Back when the Southwest Conference was around, Earl Campbell was the king of the league. Playing college ball at Texas, the all-time great running back made a name for himself in the mid-1970s as one of the most difficult to tackle halfbacks in the nation.
As a freshman with the Longhorns in 1974, Campbell rushed for 928 yards and six touchdowns. That just set the stage for what was about to come from him in Austin. Campbell finished his senior season in 1977 with 1,744 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, winning the first Heisman Trophy in school history.
Campbell was then drafted first overall by the Houston Oilers in 1978, rushing for 1,450 yards and 13 touchdowns during his rookie campaign, obviously good enough to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Hard to believe, but Campbell improved his numbers in each of his next three seasons with the Oilers, rushing for 1,697 yards and 19 touchdowns in his second go-around and 1,934 yards and 13 touchdowns in his third year. He was named NFL MVP in 1979.
Campbell played eight seasons and retired at the age of 31, deeming his body too diminished to play a prominent role with the New Orleans Saints. He finished his career as a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro, three-time MVP and three-time Offensive Player of the Year. His career concluded with 9,407 yards and 74 rushing touchdowns, having his No. 34 retired by the Titans.
Next: 5. Marcus Allen, USC