Fansided

Whatever happened to these 30 forgotten college football superstars?

By Dante Pryor

Peter Warrick #9 of the Florida State Seminoles: (Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport)
Peter Warrick #9 of the Florida State Seminoles: (Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport) /
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ATLANTA – JANUARY 02: Running back Steve Slaton #10 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2nd quarter of the Nokia Sugar Bowl at the Georgia Dome on January 2, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA – JANUARY 02: Running back Steve Slaton #10 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2nd quarter of the Nokia Sugar Bowl at the Georgia Dome on January 2, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

23. Steve Slaton, running back, West Virginia

Slaton’s professional career got off to a white-hot start after being drafted by the Texans in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. Many felt the Texans got the steal of the draft getting Slaton in the third round.

As a rookie, Slaton led NFL rookies in rushing yards and was sixth in the NFL with 1282 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Slaton would not come close to that sort of production again. By 2015 Slaton was out of football.

Despite a lackluster college career, Slaton is arguably the best running back West Virginia ever produced and one of the last great players in the old Big East Conference.

The last time the West Virginia Mountaineers were a legitimate national title contender, Steve Slaton shared a backfield with quarterback Pat White. Rich Rodriguez brought an innovative power spread option attack to Morgantown, and Slaton was the catalyst.

Slaton’s career at West Virginia began with one of the iconic performances in Mountaineers football history. Slaton scored six touchdowns, leading West Virginia to an overtime victory against the Louisville Cardinals.

Slaton rushed for 1,128 yards and 17 touchdowns as a freshman and was named Big East Rookie of the Year and a Freshman All-American. By the time his career in Morgantown was over, Slaton had rushed for 3,923 yards and 50 touchdowns.

Slaton is West Virginia’s fifth all-time leading rusher and all-time leader in career touchdowns.

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