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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TEMPE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 2: Tailback Darren Sproles
TEMPE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 2: Tailback Darren Sproles /

Iowa

Darren Sproles, Kansas State Wildcats

Both Nile Kinnick and Jay Berwanger were born in the state of Iowa and went on to win the Heisman Trophy, but Kansas State running back Darren Sproles, who was born in Waterloo before moving to Kansas, but together a more complete collegiate career.

Listed at 5-foot-6 and 190 pounds today, Sproles was almost always the smallest player on the field from 2001-04 with the Wildcats. Nevertheless, he came up huge with 4,979 career rushing yards, 881 receiving yards, and 48 total touchdowns. In fact, Sproles holds the school rushing record with nearly 2,000 yards of cushion over No. 2 John Hubert, who gained 2,993 yards from 2010-13. Only 2012 Heisman finalist Collin Klein (59) has more career rushing TDs at K-State.

Sproles dominated the career leaderboard despite appearing in just six games as a freshman, and running for only 210 yards, in 2001. He broke through as a sophomore and finished third in the Big 12 with 1,465 rushing yards and a career-high 17 TDs, which ranked second in the league.

In 2003, Sproles led the nation with 1,986 rushing yards and scored 16 times on the ground. His 18 TDs from scrimmage led the Big 12, as did his 306 carries and 331 plays from scrimmage. Along with 287 receiving yards, Sproles led the nation with 2,273 yards from scrimmage. He also added a punt return for a touchdown. K-State won the Big 12 title in 2003, and Sproles finished fifth in the Heisman voting.

Sproles currently ranks No. 3 in Big 12 history and 22nd all-time in rushing yardage, and ranks in the top 25 in FBS history with 5,588 yards from scrimmage.

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