Kansas football has an incredible history of producing exciting, productive running backs, many of whom played in the NFL. Two of them are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and one is a Super Bowl MVP.
Historically, Kansas hasn't been very good very often. Because of that sad fact, it may surprise some people how many terrific running backs have played for the Jayhawks over the years. There have been incredible performances and unbelievable careers.
While the bottom portion of this list may change, the top probably can be set in stone. With the onset of the NIL era and how often players switch schools, it is unlikely any great players will stay at Kansas, or anywhere else, long enough to break any of the major records.
Top 10 all-time leaders in rushing yards at Kansas
No. 10: Pooka Williams
Williams was as electrifying a runner as has ever played for Kansas. After his first two seasons for the Jayhawks, it looked like he would shatter all rushing records at KU. In the end, his career at Kansas can only be termed as disappointing and unfulfilled.
He was only the second running back in KU history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons, and he broke Gale Sayers' long-time record for yards rushing over the first two seasons at Kansas.
Unfortunately, KU was terrible over his two-plus seasons. When his junior campaign started, every defense was focused on stopping the Jayhawks' only weapon. Injuries and frustration led him to leave the program. At the time, he mentioned injuries and a desire to be closer to his family as the reasons for leaving. He never played another down in college.
- Attempts: 415
- Yards: 2,382
- Rushing touchdowns: 12
- Yards per carry: 5.7
- Receptions: 66
- Yards: 534
- Receiving touchdowns: 4
- Yards per catch: 8.1
Williams went undrafted but played one game for the Bengals. He played briefly in the XFL/UFL and then in the Indoor Football League.
No. 9: David Winbush
Like so many Kansas running backs, Winbush never had the luxury of playing on a good team. During his time at KU, the Jayhawks weren't as terrible as they sometimes have been, but their record was 18-27.
Winbush played in 43 games in his career, which was impressive considering schools only played 11 regular season games, and KU never made it to a bowl in those seasons.
Winbush was a solid performer all four years, though he never produced a 1,000-yard season. Despite his role as the featured back for three seasons, he produced just five 100-yard games.
His best game, however, was a doozy. During his sophomore season against Colorado, he ran for 268 yards on 29 carries, with three touchdowns. He never came close to matching that rushing total again, despite a fine career.
- Attempts: 556
- Yards: 2,608
- Rushing touchdowns: 22
- Yards per carry: 4.7
- Receptions: 48
- Yards: 505
- Receiving touchdowns: 2
- Yards per catch: 10.5
Winbush did not play in the NFL, but his successes made him a top-10 running back at Kansas.
No. 8: John Riggins
Riggins played in an era when freshmen still weren't allowed to play. Still, in his three years of eligibility, he put up terrific numbers. He saw action in 31 games, and as a senior in 1970, he plowed through defenses for 1,131 yards, which led the Big 8 and was 10th nationally.
His 14 total touchdowns in 1970 ranked him second in the Big 8 and 10th nationally. His performance that year was good enough to land him on All-American lists.
He was impressive enough to be selected 6th overall by the New York Jets in the 1971 NFL Draft. Of course, he became well-known as a unique personality in the NFL and produced a career good enough to earn him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Attempts: 518
- Yards: 2,659
- Touchdowns: 19
- Yards per carry: 5.1
- Receptions: 9
- Yards: 67
- Touchdowns: 2
- Yards per catch: 7.4
Riggins played 14 years with the Jets and Washington Redskins (now Commanders). He accumulated 11,352 rushing yards and another 2,090 receiving yards. He had 104 rushing touchdowns and 12 more through the air. Furthermore, he had five 1,000-yard seasons, including 1983. That season, he churned out 1,347 yards with 24 rushing touchdowns. His career would have been even better if he had not sat out 1980, in the middle of his prime, in a contract dispute.
Riggins was the Super Bowl XVII MVP in 1983, leading the Redskins to victory with 166 rushing yards and the game-winning touchdown.
He is not only one of the best running backs at Kansas, but also one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
No. 7: Gale Sayers
One of the biggest ifs in NFL history has to be Gale Sayers, whose pro career was riddled and cut short by injuries. At Kansas, however, he was a two-time Consensus All-American.
His 1,125 yards rushing in 1962 led the Big 8 and ranked third nationally. In 1962, he averaged 7.1 yards per carry, and in 1963, 6.9 yards. Both marks led the nation. He also had a 99-yard touchdown run at Kansas.
He was so impressive, he was drafted twice. The Chicago Bears selected him fourth overall in the 1965 NFL Draft, and the Kansas City Chiefs took him fifth in the 1965 AFL Draft. Of course, he chose to play with the Bears.
- Attempts: 412
- Yards: 2,675
- Touchdowns: 18
- Yards per carry: 6.5
- Receptions: 35
- Yards: 398
- Touchdowns: 1
- Yards per catch: 11.4
Officially, Sayers played seven seasons in the NFL, but in the last two, he played in just four total games. In his first five seasons, he never ran for less than 856 yards, and he was a first-team All-Pro all five years. In his brief career, he had 4.956 rushing yards and another 1,307 receiving yards. He scored 48 touchdowns from scrimmage and another eight more as a punt and kick returner.
Sayers still holds the record for the NFL all-time best career kick return average at 30.6 yards per return, and Sayers also scored six touchdowns in one game. He is undoubtedly one of the great Jayhawks runners and well-deserving of his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
No. 6: Clark Green
Green had a strange career at KU. He was the featured back his freshman and sophomore seasons, which were also Mark Mangino's first years as the Kansas head coach. In his last two seasons, he was surpassed on the depth chart, though he was still an effective runner.
Green was a workhorse, getting 401 carries in those early campaigns. He gained a respectable 1,781 yards with 10 touchdowns. He was also extremely effective catching the ball out of the backfield, pulling in 81 balls for 872 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2003, Magino brought in another explosive back in John Randle. The two split time that season, but Randle surpassed Green in 2004. After a series of arrests, the troubled Randle was dismissed from the team, and it looked like Green might return to the featured role, but another back passed him on the depth chart. Jon Cornish (12th all-time) took over, and Green served as his backup. The two were an effective 1-2 punch. After Green's graduation, Cornish would run for 1,457 yards in 2006.
- Attempt: 641
- Yards: 2754
- Touchdowns: 13
- Yards per carry: 4.3
- Receptions: 112
- Yards: 1,229
- Touchdowns: 2
- Yards per catch: 10.1
Green was a valuable piece in those early Mangino years as the coach was trying to establish Kansas as a competitive team. While he lacked the explosiveness of Randle and Cornish, he was exceptional as a pass-catcher and a grinding runner. He helped to turn the program around by being a legitimate running back in a rising program.
No. 5: Laverne Smith
Smith was an explosive runner with an interesting career. As a freshman, he saw limited action behind future NFL star Delvin Williams and Robert Miller, with David Jaynes at quarterback. After Jaynes was drafted into the NFL, KU transitioned into more of a running team offensively.
In 1974, Smith gained 1,181 yards on just 176 carries. The next season, the Jayhawks ran a wishbone offense, and Smith had to share much of the offensive load with quarterback Nolan Cromwell.
That season, Smith was second on the team behind Cromwell with 864 yards. He also shared the backfield with Norris Banks (16th all-time in rushing yards). Cromwell, a future three-time NFL cornerback, though, was the workhorse. He gained 1,124 yards in an offense that threw just 83 passes all season.
In 1976, the three-headed rushing attack was still in place, but Smith led the pack with 978 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. What was incredible about Smith was how explosive he was. In his final three seasons, he averaged 6.7, 6.9, and 6.5 yards per carry. Because KU seldom passed the ball his final two seasons, Smith was never able to showcase his receiving skills.
- Attempts: 472
- Yards: 3,074
- Touchdowns: 21
- Yards per carry: 6.5
- Receptions: 20
- Yards: 211
- Touchdowns: 2
- Yards per catch: 10.6
Smith was drafted in the fourth round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He only played in seven games before breaking his leg. He never played in another NFL game again. Smith is a little-known “what if” in the NFL.
He put up some incredible numbers at Kansas, and it was a tragedy that he didn't get the opportunity to play more in the NFL.
No. 4: James Sims
Sims was an incredibly talented running back who unfortunately played for some truly awful Kansas football teams. Despite Sims herculean efforts, the Jayhawks won just nine games in his four years at KU, against 39 losses.
As a freshman, Sims led the Jayhawks with 742 yards rushing. He was one of four backs with at least 210 yards that season. In 2011, Sims again paced the Jayhawks on the ground with 727 yards and was one of three backs with more than 390 yards.
During his junior and senior seasons, Sims was even more effective, though it didn't help improve the team's fortunes any. In 2012, again the Jayhawks gained yardage on the ground, with Sims leading the way with 1,013 yards. Two other backs gained at least 460 yards behind him.
He had his best season in 2013. Sims scampered for 1,110 yards on a Big 12-leading 230 carries. He carried more of the load that season, but still the Jayhawks were dismal.
- Attempts: 798
- Yards: 3,592
- Touchdowns: 34
- Yards per carry: 4.5
- Receptions: 72
- Yards: 587
- Touchdowns: 2
- Yards per catch: 8.2
Sims was by far the most talented player on offense during his four seasons at Kansas. It was unfortunate that he never got to play on a good team. He was a bright beacon during some dismal seasons at KU, but he stayed true, playing his whole career in the crimson and blue.
No. 3: Tony Sands
Physically, Sands did not resemble an impressive running back. Listed generously as 5-foot-6, 170 pounds, his size did not reflect how big his heart was. He received significant playing time as a freshman, getting 102 carries, before turning into a tiny workhorse during his other three seasons.
He led the Big 8 in rushing attempts (273) and yards (1,442) his senior campaign and was in the top five nationally in both categories. His greatest day on the gridiron came on his last day, and he was outstanding.
During the final game of his college career, against the Jayhawks' most loathed rival, the Missouri Tigers, Sands produced one of the greatest performances in college football history. Sands carried the ball an incredible 58 times (still a record) for 396 yards, a mark that stood for eight years. His four touchdowns led the way to a 53-29 beatdown of the Tigers.
Those numbers are almost unfathomable, but they are even more incredible considering his diminutive size. He had a fantastic career at Kansas, but in this game, he earned legendary status among the Jayhawk faithful.
- Attempts: 777
- Yards: 3,777
- Touchdowns: 28
- Yards per carry: 4.9
- Receptions: 12
- Yards: 114
- Touchdowns: 0
- Yards per catch: 9.5
Sands never received much opportunity to play in the NFL, though he did spend a camp with the Cardinals. Despite his college accomplishments, his size probably had something to do with his lack of opportunity at the next level. Regardless, he will always be remembered as one of the greatest KU running backs.
No. 2: June Henley
Henley quickly endeared himself to Kansas fans by leading the Big 8 in rushing attempts (223), rushing yards (1,127), and rushing touchdowns (12) as a freshman. As a sophomore, he split time with L. T. Levine (11th all-time) and didn't get as much action.
Henley and Levine split time the next season as well, but their numbers were much closer than the year before. Both of them rushed for more than 760 yards, making them a fearsome duo. Once Levine graduated, Henley once again became the feature back, and he had an incredible senior season.
In his final season, his 302 carries ranked third in the Big 12 and fifth nationally. His 1,349 yards were fourth in the conference. For his amazing career, he had two 1,100-plus-yard seasons. During his junior and senior seasons, he also highlighted his ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
- Attempts: 823
- Yards: 3,841
- Touchdowns: 41
- Yards per carry: 4.7
- Receptions: 61
- Yards: 622
- Touchdowns: 1
- Yards per catch: 10.2
Henley was selected in the fifth round by the Chiefs, but was cut and later signed with the Rams. He played in 11 games for the Rams, carrying the ball 88 times for 313 yards and three touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Henley's post-football career has been riddled with legal issues. Still, he was part of an 12-year era that produced four of KU's top 11 all-time leading rushers.
No. 1: Devin Neal
Neal will forever be a beloved legend at KU. It isn't just because of the record-setting numbers he produced, but more for what he meant to the program. A Lawrence native son, Neal was one of the players that helped the Kansas football program go from one of the worst in the country to appearing in back-to-back bowl games.
Neal could have left for more NIL money, but he chose to stay and finish what he started, and he turned in the best overall career of any KU running back. Not only is he the all-time leading rusher, but also the all-time leading touchdown maker in school history.
He produced three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and was an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He was one of several players that, as a group, turned the program around and will ever be loved for that.
He finished his career with 17 100-yard games, including a career-best 224-yard effort as a sophomore, followed by a 190-yard game the next outing. In his next-to-last contest for the Jayhawks, he produced his second 200-yard effort with 207 yards.
He is ranked ninth all-time in Big 12 history in career rushing attempts, fifth in career rushing yards, and fourth in career rushing touchdowns, leaving his mark on the conference as well as on KU.
- Attempts: 760
- Yards: 4,343
- Touchdowns: 49
- Yards per carry: 5.7
- Receptions: 77
- Yards: 711
- Touchdowns: 4
- Yards per catch: 9.2
He was drafted in the sixth round by the Saints and had a modest rookie season. He gained 206 yards on 57 carries, with two touchdowns. He was effective out of the backfield with 17 catches for 104 yards as well.
Regardless of what kind of NFL career he ends up having, he is the all-time leading rusher in Kansas football history, and his rushing records may never be broken during the NIL era. He will always be a legendary Jayhawk. Rock Chalk!
Thanks to sportsreference.com for their incredible statistical database.
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