Nebraska Football: 10 Best Running Backs of All-Time

Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad running back Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska (28) runs past the tackle attempt of South squad defensive end Trey Flowers of Arkansas (86) in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad running back Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska (28) runs past the tackle attempt of South squad defensive end Trey Flowers of Arkansas (86) in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 11
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Who is the greatest running back in Nebraska football history? Ten spots are available for the honor and we salute the best that form a mix of old school and familiar faces from not very long ago.

Nebraska football is no stranger to quality running backs. In fact, one of the hot topics every offseason is which player at the position is going to break out and be The Man during the upcoming season.

Naturally, whenever you ask a Husker fan about the best backs to ever take a handoff, Nebraska’s Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier pops up. There’s a usual list of names that roll off the tongue, but after about four or five, a debate kicks in.

Which I-Backs didn’t quite have the legs to make our list?

You won’t find 1989 Super Bowl champion Doug DuBose’s name or two-time All-Big Eight selection Keith Jones, both NFL Draft picks.

Apologies to Jarvis Redwine or Cory “Porkchop” Ross, but even though there’s a spot in the Big Red record books for both of them, none of these ten spots bare their names.

Apologies to Jarvis Redwine or Cory “Porkchop” Ross, but even though there’s a spot on the Big Red record books for both of you, none of these ten spots bare your names and Bobby Reynolds? Not so much.

When defining the ten best backs that have ever played the game wearing scarlet and cream, a number of factors were taken into account. Not only how well they played as a member of the Nebraska football team overall, but their journey towards their final numbers and what their futures would hold.

With that in mind and without further adieu, let’s find out who the best of the best backs are that ever wore the cream shell with a block “N” on the side.