Fansided

25 best NFL running backs of the 21st century

By Brad Weiss

Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson runs down the field as the San Diego Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20 - 9 on December 17, 2006 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Tracy Frankel/Getty Images)
Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson runs down the field as the San Diego Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20 - 9 on December 17, 2006 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Tracy Frankel/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA – OCTOBER 03: Clinton Portis #26 of the Washington Redskins against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 3, 2010, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 17-12. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – OCTOBER 03: Clinton Portis #26 of the Washington Redskins against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 3, 2010, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 17-12. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

25 best NFL running backs of the 21st century

Clinton Portis. . player. 45. . .

To say that Clinton Portis had a memorable career at the University of Miami (FL) would be an understatement, as he helped the Hurricanes to a national title in his final season on campus. Portis broke out for the Hurricanes that season, rushing for 1,200 yards, and would then be selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Given the starting running back job as a rookie, Portis took the NFL by storm, racking up over 1,500 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons, while also finding the end zone 29 times. It was the kind of start to a career that you do not usually see, but Denver knew what they had in Portis, and he instantly became one of the best running backs in the NFL.

Portis would be named the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2002 and would set numerous Broncos records those first two seasons, but he was traded before the 2004 season for Champ Bailey. Washington would sign Portis to a monster contract, and in his first two seasons with the franchise, he would rack up over 2,800 yards, two of his four 1,000-yard seasons with their organization.

In nine seasons in the NFL, Portis had six 1,000-yard campaigns, rushed for nearly 10,000 yards, and had 75 touchdowns despite playing in only eight games combined his last two years.

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