Wisconsin Football: Top 10 Running Backs since Ron Dayne

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Running back Jonathan Taylor (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Running back Jonathan Taylor (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Ron Dayne

Years played: 1996-1999

Career rushing yards: 7,125

Career rushing touchdowns: 71

Honors/Awards: Big Ten freshman of the year (1996), First team All-Big Ten (Media) Second team All-Big Ten (Coaches) (1996),  Second team All-Big Ten (1997), First team All-Big Ten (1998), All American (1999), Heisman Trophy Winner, AP player of the year, Big Ten offensive player of the year, Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp player of the year (1999)

Notes: Led Big Ten, second in NCAA, in rushing yards (2,109) and rushing touchdowns (21) in 1996. Second in Big Ten in rushing yards (1,457) in 1997. Led Big Ten, sixth in NCAA, in rushing yards (1998). Led Big Ten in rushing touchdowns (15) in 1998. Led NCAA in rushing yards (2,034) and rushing touchdowns (20) in 1999. Career rushing yards (7,125) ranks first in NCAA all-time. Career rushing touchdowns (71) ranks second in Big Ten, sixth in NCAA, all-time.

Dayne’s Game

Of course this list had to be topped by Ron Dayne. We can’t make a list revolving around him and not put him on it. That’s almost as silly as not counting bowl stats until after 2002.

Dayne helped establish the culture that exists at Wisconsin today. He was a big, bruising back that ran between the tackles. The Badgers controlled the clock, dominated momentum and wore out opposing teams with Dayne for four straight years.

He was a load to tackle, but very few ever tried to tackle Dayne. He was simply too big. A lot of smaller players could chase him down from behind, but he was often too strong to drag down with arm tackles. The best bet for stopping Dayne was to wrap him up at the line of scrimmage. Once he got beyond the line he was already moving too fast to bring down.

He was the focal point for the Badgers offense in 1998 and 1999 when they went to, and won, back-to back Rose Bowls. His contribution to Wisconsin’s play, and the memories he created in the Rose Bowl earned him induction into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2011.

Dayne’s Legacy

The true career rushing king in the NCAA was, is, and may continue to be for a very long time, Ron Dayne. Donnell Pumphrey of San Diego State may sit atop the career rushing list in the NCAA’s record books, but in any complete statistical record, one that counts bowl stats prior to 2002, Ron Dayne is still the career rushing yards leader. By a lot.

The only player currently with a chance to break Dayne’ record might be Wisconsin’s own Jonathan Taylor. To break Dayne’s mark of 7,125 yards one would have to average 1,781.5 yards  (Taylor had 1,977 last season) over four years. To do it in three years, one would need 2,375.33 yards per season. Dayne reached this mark because he dominated as a freshman and stayed for four years. Most players as talented as Dayne won’t stick around once they’re eligible for the NFL Draft. Dayne did. The other part of the equation, dominating as a freshman, is something a lot of players in general just don’t get the chance to do. It’s difficult to come into the NCAA and be one of the best players in the country during your first year.

All of this goes to show how impressive Dayne was. It will take a special player to put together a career to match what he did.

Next: Top 10 Wisconsin Badgers in the NFL

Is Jonathan Taylor good enough to take over the throne in three years?