Top 10 Georgia running backs of all time
ATHENS, Ga. (BVM) – Georgia has cemented itself as one of the premier programs when it comes to the running back position. Over the past decade, the school has found a way to add a talented group of backs in nearly every season in hopes of finding its third Heisman-winning running back. With a talented group to pick from, here are the top 10 rushers in program history.
10. Terrell Davis (1992-94)
Davis’ Georgia career never completely matched his success at the NFL level, but after transferring to the program his sophomore season from Long Beach State, the 5-foot-11 running back consistently found ways to impact the game during his three–year tenure. Although he never topped 900 yards in a season, Davis averaged 5.2 yards a carry and could have enjoyed a breakout senior season had it not been for a hamstring injury that cost him nearly half the touches he received the previous campaign.
9.Rodney Hampton (1987-89)
With two historic Bulldogs backs in front of him on the depth chart throughout his first two seasons at the collegiate level, Hampton still found a way to be more than just a secondary runner, racking up over 1,600 yards on the ground. When given a full opportunity to lead the room in 1989, Hampton would make the most of it, rushing for 1,059 yards and 12 touchdowns.
8. Lars Tate (1984-87)
The Indianapolis native is part of a small group of former Bulldogs to top 3,000 rushing yards throughout their career. After splitting time as the lead back during his first two seasons, Tate would become the motor behind the program’s success in 1986 and 1987. Topping nearly 1,000 yards in his final two campaigns, Tate would total 3,017 yards on the ground and 37 total touchdowns.
7. D’Andre Swift (2017-19)
Swift could have featured as a starter at almost every college program in the country his freshman year, but with two All-SEC backs in front of him, the Philadelphia native found himself as the team’s third contributor. Even with the role, Swift helped the Bulldogs to one of the best seasons in school history. One of the most talented running backs in Georgia history, Swift finished his three–year career with 2,885 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, earning him All-SEC honors in his sophomore and junior campaigns.
6. Knowshon Moreno (2007-08)
Moreno’s two seasons at Georgia have been hard to duplicate for running backs entering the program since. The 5-foot-11, 218-pound back proved to be one of the top rushers in the nation during his time with the Bulldogs, racking up 1,334 yards on the ground and SEC Freshman of the Year honors during his 2007 campaign. Moreno would go on to total 2,734 yards in just two seasons, becoming one of Georgia’s most gifted runners in school history.
5. Garrison Hearst (1990-92)
Staying in state comes with a different level of expectations and Hearst did more than enough to live up to them. The Lincolnton native had a steady ramp up his first two seasons at Georgia rushing for 717 yards his freshman year and 968 his sophomore campaign. When given the full workload in his junior season, Hearst enjoyed a historic effort, topping 1,547 yards and 19 touchdowns, leading him to the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back.
4. Sony Michel (2014-17)
There’s no question that Michel would have had an even greater statistical impact with the Georgia Bulldogs had he not split carries with his running back tandem throughout each of his four seasons. Even with the circumstances, Michel proved to be one of the most significant players in program history during his time on the field. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound back totaled over 3,600 yards rushing during his career and provided a significant impact in the team’s biggest moments. During the 2018 Rose Bowl, Michel posted 222 total yards and four touchdowns, earning him Offensive MVP honors of the game.
3. Todd Gurley (2012-14)
With a lengthy list of star running backs that have donned the Bulldogs uniform, Gurley might be the most talented of them all. Gurley’s career easily could have topped the program’s all-time records had it not been for injuries and his off-the-field suspension his junior season. Still, the North Carolina native put together over 3,000 rushing yards during his three seasons with the team and even posted nearly 1,000 rushing yards in just six games during his junior campaign. Gurley’s prominent impact even had him near the top of the Heisman favorites entering his 2014 season.
2. Nick Chubb (2014-17)
Chubb’s consistency throughout his four collegiate seasons might stick out the most when looking back on his Georgia tenure. Chubb finished with the second most yards in program and SEC history, and helped return the Bulldogs to annual National Championship contenders. His 4,769 career yards represent the most impressive rushing stint since the list’s No. 1 player and has helped create a yearly cycle of top running back recruits to the Georgia program.
1. Herschel Walker (1980-82)
Walker is the only option for the top spot after enjoying a career that nears the pinnacle of all college football running backs. With three straight seasons as a top three Heisman finalist – the only player to ever achieve that feat — Walker’s resume is hard to top. Behind three SEC Player of the Year honors, three All-American selections, a National Championship and a Heisman Trophy, Walker ended his Georgia career with the most decorated resume in program history. His 5,259 career rushing yards could have placed him even closer to the all-time record holder in college football history had he not forgone his senior season.
