Sims sits atop the list, but it could be Peterson after this season

Oklahoma’s tradition of running backs is stout. But it’s not the most impressive in college football history. The 10 best running back schools, based on Heisman Trophy results, consensus All-Americans and NFL production:

1. OHIO STATE: Five Heisman winners, including Archie Griffin twice, Eddie George, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz and Howard Cassady. But the Buckeyes don’t stop there - John Brockington, Matt Snell, Jim Otis, Keith Byars, Robert Smith.

2. SOUTHERN CAL: Five Heisman winners - Mike Garrett, O.J. Simpson, Charles White, Marcus Allen and Reggie Bush. But Ricky Bell and Anthony Davis weren’t far behind, and Frank Gifford and Clarence Davis were pro stars.

3. OKLAHOMA: Three Heisman winners - Billy Vessels, Steve Owens and Billy Sims - with Adrian Peterson a runner-up as a freshman in 2004. Also making consensus All-American were Leon Heath, Tommy McDonald, Clendon Thomas, Jim Grisham, Greg Pruitt and Joe Washington.

4. PENN STATE: Only one Heisman winner, John Cappelletti, but some epic names among both college and NFL runners - Lenny Moore, Franco Harris, Lydell Mitchell, Curt Warner, D.J. Dozier, Blair Thomas, Ki-Jana Carter, Curtis Enis, Larry Johnson.

5. SYRACUSE: Only Ernie Davis won the Heisman, but Jimmy Brown is the greatest running back of all time, and Larry Csonka, Floyd Little, Jim Nance, Joe Morris and Daryl Johnston were stars in college and the NFL.

6. TEXAS: Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell won Heismans; Cedric Benson wanted a Heisman; wishbone backs Roosevelt Leaks, Chris Gilbert and Steve Worster made All-American; and Priest Holmes is an NFL great.

7. AUBURN: Bo Jackson won a Heisman, but remarkable run of quality tailbacks. Tucker Frederickson in the ’60s; Joe Cribbs and James Brooks in the ’70s; Brent Fullwood and Jackson in the ’80s; Stephen Davis in the ’90s; and Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams this decade.

8. GEORGIA: Herschel Walker is as good a pick as any for greatest running back in college football history, but he’s not the only great Bulldog - Garrison Hearst, Tim Worley, Terrell Davis and Rodney Hampton.

9. OKLAHOMA STATE: Barry Sanders won a Heisman and Thurman Thomas kept him on the bench for two years, but the Cowboys also had All-Americans Bob Fenimore and Terry Miller, plus Walt Garrison.

10. UCLA: No superstars, but one excellent tailback after another, for 40 years - Mel Farr, Kermit Johnson, Wendell Tyler, Theotis Brown, Freeman McNeil, Gaston Green, Skip Hicks, Karim Abdul-Jabbar, DeShaun Foster and Maurice Drew.

By Berry Tramel

OU rushing records

Career

1. Billy Sims 4,118

2. Joe Washington 4,071

3. Steve Owens 4,041

4. Quentin Griffin 3,938

5. DeMond Parker 3,403

6. Stanley Wilson 3,198

7. Adrian Peterson 3,033

8. Greg Pruitt 3,122

9. Lydell Carr 2,910

10. Mike Gaddis 2,726

Season

1. Adrian Peterson (2004) 1,925

2. Billy Sims (1978) 1,896

3. Quentin Griffin (2002) 1,884

4. Greg Pruitt (1971) 1,760

5. Billy Sims (1979) 1,670

6. Steve Owens (1968) 1,649

7. Steve Owens (1969) 1,523

8. Mike Gaddis (1991) 1,344

9. Joe Washington (1974) 1,321

10. DeMond Parker (1996) 1,184