30 best college football running backs of the 21st century

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 4: Adrian Peterson #28 of the University of Oklahoma Sooners carries the ball against the University of Colorado Buffaloes in the Big 12 Championship game on December 4, 2004 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Oklahoma defeated Colorado 42-3 to win the Big XII Championship. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

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Dalvin Cook #4 of the Florida State Seminoles. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

15. Dalvin Cook – Florida State 2014-16

Dalvin Cook had quite a career at Florida State before he was dominating defenses with the Minnesota Vikings. He played three seasons in Tallahassee, rushing for more than 1,000 yards in each despite splitting time his freshman year. He eventually took the job over and he became a dominant presence very quickly. In the ACC Championship Game, he ran for 177 yards and a touchdown. He added five receptions and 43 yards. Florida was destroyed in the first round of the College Football Playoff, but Cook still had 103 yards rushing despite FSU losing by 39.

The next season, Cook was unstoppable. He ran for 222 yards and three total touchdowns against in-state rival Miami. Against the hyped defensive line of then-number 1 Clemson, he ran for 194 yards and a touchdown. When they faced their other in-state rival in Florida, he put 183 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-2 destruction of the Gators.

That season ended in disappointment and it seemed like Cook wasn’t too interested in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.

His senior year, he outdid himself. He finished the year with 1,620 yards and 19 total touchdowns. Florida State’s season was insane, losing three games to top-10teams, but Cook still delivered in every matchup. Against number 4 Clemson, 169 yards and four touchdowns. He had a four-yard, eight-yard, 43-yard and 70-yard touchdown run against one of the top teams in the land.

He gave a little more effort in his last bowl game with Florida State. He ran for 145 yards and one touchdown against then-number 6 Michigan. It was an awesome end to an awesome career for a Seminoles’ team that hasn’t bounced back since.

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