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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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TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 23: Running back Ka’Deem Carey
TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 23: Running back Ka’Deem Carey /

Arizona

Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona Wildcats

One of the most recent college running backs to make our list, Ka’Deem Carey earned consensus All-American honors in both 2012 and 2013 with the Arizona Wildcats. Carey was also named the 2013 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year.

A Tucson native, Carey gained 425 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns in limited action as a true freshman in 2011. He also scored twice on 15 receptions, which went for 203 yards. Carey then exploded as a sophomore with 1,929 rushing yards – which led the nation – and 23 TDs – which led the conference and ranked No. 7 in the country. Both marks set the Arizona single-season record. He also caught 36 passes for 303 yards and a touchdown, which added up to a nation-leading 2,232 yards from scrimmage on 375 touches.

Carey was suspended one game the following season, but nearly matched his 2012 production as a sophomore in 2013. He once again led the Pac-12 in rushing with 1,885 yards, which ranked third nationally, and finished third on the league leaderboard with 19 TDs, which was also seventh in the country.

Before Carey came along, Trung Canidate had the distinction as the greatest ball carrier born in Arizona. One of the most explosive running backs ever to play for the Wildcats, Canidate averaged 6.5 yards per carry in his collegiate career. The Phoenix native gained 3,626 rushing yards and scored 25 TDs, and led the Pac-10 in rushing and yards from scrimmage in both 1998 and ’99.

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