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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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – OCTOBER 27: Darren McFadden
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – OCTOBER 27: Darren McFadden /

Arkansas

Darren McFadden, Arkansas Razorbacks

Little Rock-born running back Darren McFadden was a two-time All-American, two-time SEC Player of the Year, two-time Doak Walker Award winner, and twice finished as the runner up for the Heisman Trophy. Not bad for someone that spent just three seasons with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

McFadden set an Arkansas freshman record with 1,113 rushing yards in 2005, and also scored 11 touchdowns to earn SEC Freshman of the Year honors. Unfortunately, the Hogs struggled to a 4-7 record that season.

As a sophomore, both the team and the star running back made national headlines. McFadden broke the school rushing record and tallied 1,647 yards on the ground and scored 14 TDs while helping the Razorbacks win 10 games and the SEC West title. He also scored on a TD reception, scored on a kickoff return, and tossed three touchdown passes out of the Wildcat formation. Simply put, it was one of the best all-around performances in recent memory, but McFadden finished behind Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith in the Heisman voting.

McFadden was also on the wrong end of an historic season by Tim Tebow in 2007, and again finished second in the Heisman race. He didn’t lost many other races, though. McFadden again set the Arkansas rushing record with 1,830 yards and found the end zone 16 times on the ground, as well as five more times through the air – four as a passer and one as a receiver.

“Run DMc” left Arkansas and was selected No. 4 overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2008 NFL Draft after finishing his career with 4,590 career rushing yards – an average of 120.8 yards per game – and 41 touchdowns.

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