OUInsider - Owen Field

The place for the most trusted source for reliable, accurate information on OU Sports

On this Board 135
Record: 3486 (2/3/2013)

Online now 326
Record: 4487 (2/14/2012)

Boards ▾

Post a New Topic
Back to Topics
Sigs off
My boards ▾
Jump to a board I follow

You have no favorite boards.
Follow board
Follow board

Follow This Topic
5 votes needed to rate this Topic
Pages: 1 | 2

Name your top 5 runningbacks from OU 1950 to present *

- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

1. Billy Sims
2. Joe Washington
3. Adrian Peterson
4. De'Mond Parker
5. Steve Owens
I know many of you will not like the Parker pick so high, but can you imagine him being on a team with talent like some of the other players on the list? I really wanted to put Mike Gaddis and Greg Pruitt on here too.

This post was edited by James Hale on 5/30/2011 at 9:05 PM
SOONERT2002
- 3 stars
  Rating: 49
  279 votes total
- (158)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago via 247Sports Mobile

Billy Sims
Adrian Peterson
Marcus Dupree
Joe Washington
Steve Owens
Greg Pruitt
Quentin Griffin
Mike Gaddis
Demond Parker
Spencer Tillman
Deep Red
- 4 stars
  Rating: 69
  1552 votes total
- (2881)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

Billy Sims
Joe Washington
Billy Vessels
Adrian Peterson
Steve Owens
The problems we face today exist because those that work for a living are out numbered by those that vote for a living.
SoonerSpock
- 4 stars
  Rating: 79
  197 votes total
- (529)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

I can't name 5.
Billy Sims
Joe Washington
Steve Owens
Adrian Peterson
Greg Pruitt
Billy Vessels
Marcus Dupree
Quentin Griffin
Demarco Murray
Mike Gaddis
Demond Parker
In that order

This post was edited by SoonerPeace on 5/30/2011 at 11:48 AM
The two best professional rookies in 2010 and both from Oklahoma City,Oklahoma.
SoonerPeace
- 4 stars
  Rating: 74
  1395 votes total
- (1839)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

What a career Gaddis could have had if he hadn't gotten injured.
Bounce69
- 4 stars
  Rating: 78
  46 votes total
- (113)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

Not the most productive five, but my most talented five would be (in no particular order) ...
Marcus Dupree
Mike Gaddis
Adrian Peterson
Billy Sims
Joe Washington
Just missing the cut are...
DeMond Parker
Greg Pruitt
Spencer Tillman
OU_ATL
- 5 stars
  Rating: 89
  213 votes total
- (270)
- 29 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

1.) Billy Sims
2.) Joe Washington
3.) Steve Owens
4.) Adrian Peterson
5.) Greg Pruitt
DrSooner
- 3 stars
  Rating: 52
  19 votes total
- (29)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

Too hard for me to rate from one generation to another, and be objective. Especially for a Running Back rich school like OU. (And nobody else is like OU) The game changes too much. Comparative stats are meaningless.
So, I'd say,
50s - Billy Vessels
Tommy McDonald
Clendon Thomas
Prentice Gautt
Leon Heath
60s - Steve Owens
(always underrated in these type discussions because of his running style)
Joe Don Looney
Jim Gresham
Ron Shotts
70s - Greg Pruitt
Billy Sims
Joe Washington
Kenny King
Joe Wylie
80s, 90s, and 2000s later.
Grouters
- 3 votes needed
- (26)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

Grouters said...
Too hard for me to rate from one generation to another, and be objective. Especially for a Running Back rich school like OU. (And nobody else is like OU) The game changes too much. Comparative stats are meaningless.
So, I'd say,
50s - Billy Vessels Tommy McDonald Clendon Thomas Prentice Gautt Leon Heath
60s - Steve Owens (always underrated in these type discussions because of his running style) Joe Don Looney Jim Gresham Ron Shotts
70s - Greg Pruitt Billy Sims Joe Washington Kenny King Joe Wylie
80s, 90s, and 2000s later.

Those are very good choices. I'd 2nd those.
hutchsalthawk
- 3 stars
  Rating: 58
  642 votes total
- (694)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

1. Adrian Peterson
2. Joe Washington
3. Billy Sims
4. Billy Vessels
5. Tommy McDonald
All played on a national Championship team except Peterson--McDonald played on 2 NC's
BrokenBowSooner
- 4 stars
  Rating: 75
  20 votes total
- Doe Clinton
- (58)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

Grouters said...
Too hard for me to rate from one generation to another, and be objective. Especially for a Running Back rich school like OU. (And nobody else is like OU) The game changes too much. Comparative stats are meaningless.
So, I'd say,
50s - Billy Vessels Tommy McDonald Clendon Thomas Prentice Gautt Leon Heath
60s - Steve Owens (always underrated in these type discussions because of his running style) Joe Don Looney Jim Gresham Ron Shotts
70s - Greg Pruitt Billy Sims Joe Washington Kenny King Joe Wylie
80s, 90s, and 2000s later.

I like those choices. And I would add A. Peterson, D. Parker and more later.
vgsooner ●
- 5 stars
  Rating: 85
  535 votes total
- (1135)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
2 years ago Premium Post
This post is for members of OUInsider only. Join now! 30-Day Free Trial
James Hale
- 5 stars
  Rating: 93
  10122 votes total
- (12622)
- 31 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

Bounce69 said...
What a career Gaddis could have had if he hadn't gotten injured.

This.
I know right from wrong. Wrong is the fun one.
Coalgate Sooner
- 5 stars
  Rating: 85
  152 votes total
- (289)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

Lots of great RBs. Glad to see McDonald mentioned. He didn't get a ton of carries at OU because of the two platoon system, and also the two HBs used in the Split-T. Switched to WR in the pros, he was voted to the NFL Hall of Fame. Don't think any of the other RBs mentioned above are in the NFL Hall (could be wrong) but injuries cut short some careers. And AD will be inducted if he can stay healthy.
passingfancy
- 5 stars
  Rating: 82
  241 votes total
- (1022)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
2 years ago Premium Post
This post is for members of OUInsider only. Join now! 30-Day Free Trial
lifesooner ●
- 5 stars
  Rating: 92
  620 votes total
- (1135)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
2 years ago Premium Post
This post is for members of OUInsider only. Join now! 30-Day Free Trial
That's who I am... a Sooner.
burbanksooner1
- 5 stars
  Rating: 93
  421 votes total
- (1210)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

Running Backs have to do more than run and for that reason, I think you have to look at Demarco Murray as at least being worthy of the top 10. I'm surprised he hasn't been mentioned more....all time all purpose yardage for a running back.
soonerfandan
- 5 stars
  Rating: 89
  46 votes total
- (58)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
2 years ago Premium Post
This post is for members of OUInsider only. Join now! 30-Day Free Trial
NCJIM
- 5 stars
  Rating: 92
  816 votes total
- (1675)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
2 years ago Premium Post
This post is for members of OUInsider only. Join now! 30-Day Free Trial
Fandango
- 5 stars
  Rating: 88
  253 votes total
- (451)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
2 years ago Premium Post
This post is for members of OUInsider only. Join now! 30-Day Free Trial
capclay
- 4 stars
  Rating: 61
  231 votes total
- (451)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
2 years ago Premium Post
This post is for members of OUInsider only. Join now! 30-Day Free Trial
OU_ATL
- 5 stars
  Rating: 89
  213 votes total
- (270)
- 29 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
2 years ago Premium Post
This post is for members of OUInsider only. Join now! 30-Day Free Trial
pantheraonca
- 5 stars
  Rating: 95
  1991 votes total
- (1252)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
2 years ago Premium Post
This post is for members of OUInsider only. Join now! 30-Day Free Trial
tatura
- 4 stars
  Rating: 70
  250 votes total
- (693)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
2 years ago Premium Post
This post is for members of OUInsider only. Join now! 30-Day Free Trial
bigredrl
- 4 stars
  Rating: 69
  142 votes total
- (301)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User
- Reply
- Quote
- Rate Up Rate Down
2 years ago

Many, many names, lots of repetition: however, I still think Q had the biggest heart. Not leaving
out Joe Washington, who yells "Boomer Sooner" at all events. Right?
OURuss
- 4 stars
  Rating: 65
  130 votes total
- (576)
- 30 months
- Send Message
- Follow User
- Ignore User

Post a New Topic
Back to Topics
« Previous Topic
Next Topic »
Boards ▾

OUInsider - Owen Field

The place for the most trusted source for reliable, accurate information on OU Sports

Basketball & Other Sports

Men's & women's basketball, baseball, softball and other OU sports

O'Connell's Off Topic

The place for discussion on topics not related to the Oklahoma Sooners

Tickets Exchange

The place to buy, sell or trade tickets
Pages: 1 | 2

Name your top 5 runningbacks from OU 1950 to present *

vgsooner ●

lifesooner ●

Post Reply

Oklahoma

247Sports

Features

Resources

Connect