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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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GAINESVILLE, FL – CIRCA 1986-1990: Emmitt Smith,
GAINESVILLE, FL – CIRCA 1986-1990: Emmitt Smith, /

Florida

Emmitt Smith, Florida Gators

He became a household name later in life as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys (and perhaps grew even more famous when he won the third season of Dancing with the Stars), but Emmitt Smith first earned national acclaim as a running back for the Florida Gators.

In 1989, the Pensacola native earned consensus All-American honors and was named SEC Player of the Year after rushing for 1,599 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. Smith led the SEC and ranked third nationally in rushing and finished with the second most TDs in the league (it was actually the third straight season in which Smith was the SEC’s runner-up in rushing touchdowns). He also contributed 207 receiving yards and one more score.

Prior to his breakout national performance in 1989, Smith earned All-SEC recognition as both a freshman and sophomore. In 1987, he ran for 1,341 yards and 13 touchdowns and added a career-best 25 receptions for 184 yards. The following season, he dipped to 988 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground, and caught just 10 passes for 72 yards, but was limited to just nine appearances due to injury.

It’s certainly worth noting that other running backs from the Sunshine State earned more recognition as college players. Specifically, 2015 Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry is from Yulee, Florida. Nevertheless, Smith put together a more complete college career than Henry before becoming arguably the greatest ever to play the game professionally.

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