Top 5 Big Ten Rushing Leaders

The Big Ten is historically known for producing some of the greatest running backs in college football history. We’ve seen speed demons and freight train RBs dominate the scene in Big Ten football.

Here are the current top 5 Big Ten leading rushers. Check out the list and use bitcasino.io app to play games using crypto.

5. Montee Ball: Wisconsin (2009-2012)- 5,140 Yards

Wisconsin great Montee Ball comes in at #5 on the top 5 Big Ten Rushing Leaders list. Ball was a power runner who dominated the Big Ten during his collegiate career.

Montee averaged six yards per carry and nearly had two 2,000 yard seasons, who led the nation in rushing. His efforts led Wisconsin to two Rose Bowl appearances and a 70-31 win in the Big Ten Championship against Nebraska.

During Ball’s impressive career, he broke the NCAA record for touchdowns(83), which is still the Big Ten record.

4. Archie Griffin: Ohio State (1972-1975)- 5,177 Yards

It shouldn’t be a surprise that 2x Heisman winner Archie Griffin makes the top 5 Big Ten rushing leaders list. The Buckeye legend was an absolute force during his tenure at Ohio State.

He practically led the nation in every rushing category and was the best college player throughout his college career. Griffin was the first college running back to surpass 5,000 rushing yards and went to four Rose Bowl games.

His 5,177 rushing yards were the college record until Ron Dayne broke it in 1999.

3. Justin Jackson: Northwestern (2014-2017) 5,540 Yards

Justin Jackson immediately made a name for himself the moment he stepped on the field for Northwestern. During his freshman year, Jackson was able to 1,187 yards against tough Big Ten competition.

Jackson showed it wasn’t a fluke as he topped his freshman year with 1,418 yards as a Sophomore. He had his best year as a junior, where he earned 1,524 yards and 5.1 yards per carry.

After another 1,000 season as a senior, Jackson became the 9th player in history to earn over 1,000 yards in four seasons. He is still the all-time leading rusher in Northwestern history.

2. Jonathan Taylor: Wisconsin (2017-2019)- 6,174 Yards

If you know anything about Wisconsin football, you’d know the top 5 Big Ten rushing leaders list would be Badger heavy. Jonathan Taylor put himself among college football legends during his impressive run.

What makes Taylor’s numbers so impressive is that it only took him three years to be an all-time great. He ran for over 2,000 yards twice and nearly hit the mark as a freshman.

Taylor became only the second Big Ten running back to break the 6,000 yard mark.

1. Ron Dayne: Wisconsin (1996-1999)- 6397 Yards

At #1 on the top 5 Big Ten rushing leaders list is the great Ron Dayne. “The Train” Dayne is not only the all-time Big Ten rushing leader, but second all-time in CFB.

Dayne led Wisconsin during one of their best eras. He helped the Badgers win two straight Rose Bowls while breaking numerous rushing records.

In his final college football game, Dayne surpassed Ricky Williams as the all-time leading college rusher with 6,397 yards.