Fansided

Best college football running back from every state

By Nicholas Ian Allen

LOUISIANA, NO - JANUARY 1: Running back Herschel Walker #34 of the University of Georgia Bull Dogs carries the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Sugar Bowl game January 1, 1981 at the Louisiana Superbowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bull Dogs won the game 17-10. Walker played at the University of Georgia from 1980-1983, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
LOUISIANA, NO - JANUARY 1: Running back Herschel Walker #34 of the University of Georgia Bull Dogs carries the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Sugar Bowl game January 1, 1981 at the Louisiana Superbowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bull Dogs won the game 17-10. Walker played at the University of Georgia from 1980-1983, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala, Utah Utes

BYU’s Harvey Unga is a worthy option, but is there a more fun name to say – or was there a more fun runner to watch – than Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala?

Born in Honolulu and raised in Kalihi, Fuamatu-Ma’afala overcame modest means and a dangerous neighborhood to become a seven-year NFL veteran.  A standout high school running back, Fuamatu-Ma’afala caught the eye of Utah head coach Ron McBride, and earned immediate playing time as a freshman in 1995. In fact, Fuamatu-Ma’afala earned WAC Freshman of the Year honors after he led the Utes with 834 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season. Utah finished the season 7-4.

Listed at more than 250 pounds, Fuamatu-Ma’afala matched the nine touchdowns he scored on the ground in 1996, and he gained a career-high 982 yards on the ground to lead the squad a second time despite missing three games with a knee injury. He gained a career-high 236 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns against UTEP, nearly breaking the school record for rushing yards in a game.

Fuamatu Ma’afala also posted a personal best 10 receptions and 80 receiving yards and the Utes rode a seven-game winning streak to an 8-4 finish and a spot in the Copper Bowl against Wisconsin. Despite the injuries he suffered, Fuamatu Ma’afala earned All-WAC honors.

Injuries plagued him as a junior, and Fuamatu-Ma’afala took a step back statistically in 1996, but still managed a solid 814 rushing yards and four touchdowns, both of which ranked second on the team. He added 39 receiving yards and his only career TD catch.

The bruising Hawaiian left Utah early and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft.

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