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Ohio State Football: OSU not even close to being RBU?

By Charlie Lockhart

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates his fourth touchdown of the game during the third quarter of the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates his fourth touchdown of the game during the third quarter of the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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With so many great backs who have worn Scarlet and Gray over the years the Ohio State football program should be known as RBU.

It was shocking to find out the Ohio State football program wasn’t considered to be one of the best at producing top running backs. In an ESPN article listing the top 10 programs known for outstanding running backs OSU wasn’t included.

It’s hard to imagine anybody who made up that list has been paying attention to college football over the years? Since I began watching college football over a half century ago the Buckeyes have always been known for having great running backs.

To be fair, those who put the ESPN article together appeared to be concentrating on backs in the modern era, beginning with the first year of the BCS in 1998. That would leave out great Buckeyes like Jim Otis, Archie Griffin, Keith Byars, Eddie George and many others from being included.

However, Ohio State has had many outstanding running backs since the 1998 season. Before I get to them, let’s look at the top 10 RB programs according to ESPN, and “Notable players” from each school. You can then compare them to the Buckeyes’ leading rushers in the modern era.

  1. Alabama:  Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry and Shaun Alexander
  2. Wisconsin:  Ron Dayne, Melvin Gordon and Montee Ball
  3. LSU:  Leonard Fournette, Kevin Faulk and Jacob Hester
  4. Oklahoma: Adrian Peterson, Samaje and DeMarco Murray
  5. Miami:  Frank Gore, Willis McGahee and Edgerrin James
  6. Pittsburgh:  James Conner, LeSean McCoy and Dion Lewis
  7. Texas:  Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson and Jamaal Charles
  8. Oregon:  LaMichael James, Jonathan Stewart and LeGarrette Blount
  9. Arkansas:  Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis
  10. Auburn:  Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown and Tre Mason

Now, let’s look at the career rushing totals for 1,000 yard Ohio State running backs since 1998 and the year(s) they reached that mark:

  • J.K. Dobbins:  4459 yards, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Ezekiel Elliott:  3961 yards. 2014, 2015
  • Chris (Beanie) Wells:  3,382 yards, 2007, 2008
  • Carlos Hyde:  3,198 yards, 2013
  • Michael Wiley:  2,951 yards, 1998
  • Antonio Pittman:  2,945 yards, 2005, 2006
  • Dan Herron:  2,869 yards, 2010
  • Mike Weber:  2,676 yards, 2016
  • Jonathan Wells:  2,344 yards, 2001
  • Maurice Clarett: 1,237 yards, 2002

Next, a look at the top three Buckeye running backs in the modern era so you can compare them with the “Notable Players” from the other programs.

Even though J.K. Dobbins, Ezekiel Elliott and Chris Wells each only played three years of college football they combined for 11,802 rushing yards. Think about this, as freshmen Beanie played behind Antonio Pittman, Zeke backed up Carlos Hyde and J.K. shared carries with Mike Weber for two seasons.

If f you combine each of their best seasons they total 5,490 rushing yards. Wouldn’t you put these running backs up against the best three of any other football program?

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I’m not slighting any of the other programs mentioned in the ESPN article, and certainly not the outstanding players who have played for them. I’m just pointing out the Buckeyes have been known for having outstanding running backs since I started following them in 1968 to this day. Simply put, any list of programs that turn out great running backs has to have Ohio State at or near the top.

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