Top 10 Wisconsin Badgers running backs of all time

3. Alan Ameche (1951-1954) 

Plenty of talented guys have come and gone through Wisconsin’s program over the last few decades, but Ameche’s impact on the program has stood the test of time. Born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin just south of Milwaukee, Ameche went to Madison to play his college football and became the best in program history at the time. “The Iron Horse” became a three-time first-team Big Ten player and three-time first-team All-American at Wisconsin, rushing for 3,345 yards in his career which was an NCAA record at the time. He led the Big Ten in rushing in both 1951 and 1952, the latter of which was the first 1,000-yard rushing season in Wisconsin history. He also led the Badgers to their first-ever bowl game that season, putting up a 100-yard performance in a Rose Bowl loss. In 1954, Ameche became the first Badger to win the Heisman Trophy, and remains one of just two to ever accomplish the feat. Ameche was selected second overall in the 1955 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, the highest draft selection for a Wisconsin player. Despite just six years in the league, he won NFL Rookie of the Year and was a multi-time Pro Bowl selection. Ameche is one of just six Badgers to have their number retired, and is a member of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, Rose Bowl Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame.