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Ohio State Football: Top 10 Buckeye running backs of all time

By Ian O’Brien

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rushes the football during the first half of the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rushes the football during the first half of the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 9: Tailback Maurice Clarett #13 of the Ohio State University Buckeyes carries the ball against the Purdue University Boilermakers during the game at Ross-Ade Stadium at Purdue University on November 9, 2002 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Ohio State defeated Purdue 10-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 9: Tailback Maurice Clarett #13 of the Ohio State University Buckeyes carries the ball against the Purdue University Boilermakers during the game at Ross-Ade Stadium at Purdue University on November 9, 2002 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Ohio State defeated Purdue 10-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Since the Ohio State football team was founded in 1890, there have been powerful playmakers at quarterback and on defense. However, the biggest stars have been the running backs.

So who are my top 10 who have carried the football for Ohio State? Let’s find out.

10) Maurice Clarett

When Ohio State fans bring up the 2002 Championship season, the player that comes to mind is Maurice Clarett.  He started out at Warren G Harding High School and is from Youngstown just like me. When former Youngstown State and Ohio State coach Jim Tressel went to coach the Buckeyes, Clarett went to follow the next season.

In his only season as a Buckeye, Clarett rushed for 1,237 yards on 222 attempts and 18 touchdowns.  He also had 12 receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He was also a big reason why Ohio State beat Miami in the National Championship because he scored the touchdown to put the Buckeyes up 31-24 winning it in double overtime.

Why I have Clarett at 10 is because of the controversy. If he would just have kept his nose clean and did what he did, he would have been so much better his sophomore, Junior and if decided to stay, his senior season.

He could have been the early 2000s version of Ezekiel Elliott or Jonathan Taylor. Clarett would later be drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round but was cut shortly after.

Clarett is making up for his past now however as he is a speaker and has his podcast called Streets, Sports and Success.

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