Rudel's top 10 RBs
The Mirror's Neil Rudel has covered Penn State football since 1977. Here are the top 10 running backs he's witnessed and therefore does not include the likes of Lenny Moore, Lydell Mitchell and John Cappelletti - three that most assuredly would be in PSU's all-time top 10.
Rank/PlayerYearsYards
1. Curt Warner(1979-82)3,398
Once through line, best PSU has had. Cutback artist set single-game mark (256) at Syracuse, but he also had 238 in '81 at Nebraska.
2. Curtis Enis(1995-97)3,256
Unlike Warner, played just three seasons. Bull of a tailback, evidenced by 36TDs. He did not have arsenal of Warner (above) or Carter (below).
3. Ki-Jana Carter(1992-94)2,829
Also played three only years. Used blazing speed to average 7.2 per career rush, a school record. No. 1 overall pick in 1995.
4. Blair Thomas(1985-87, 89)3,301
Came back from ACL surgery to get 1,300-plus in '89 after 1,414 as junior. Workhorse who turned corner better than anyone.
5. Larry Johnson(1999-02)2,953
Got 2,087 of them (7.7 per crack) as a senior, his only season as a full-time starter. Rare combination of speed and power but mediocre offense allowed better defenses to stop him.
6. D.J. Dozier(1983-86)3,227
Burst on scene as true freshman to have 1,000 yards, but that was his only four-digit season. Shifty but also injury prone.
7. Matt Suhey(1976-79)2,818
Tailback in a fullback's body went onto great NFL career. And he was in on third down at the goal line vs. Alabama. Go to the videotape.
8. Tony Hunt(2003-06) 3,320
Not flashy, but took what the defenses gave, finished runs as well as anyone and wound up No. 2 in yards. Caught between a tailback and a fullback and didn't last in the NFL.
9. Evan Royster(2007-present)2,918
Excellent vision and feet and a good receiver, too. Will likely break all-time rushing record, but that's deceiving because he'll have played more games.
10. Jonathan Williams(1980-83)2,042
May be the most underrated back in PSU history, having shared the same backfield as both Warner and Dozier.
