The Top 5 Rushers in PAC 12 History

The PAC 12 is historically known for producing some of college football’s most explosive offenses. This includes well-rounded running backs who were x-factors for their teams.

Here are the top 5 rushers in PAC 12 history. Check out the list below and the latest NFL odds and picks before the season starts.

5. Ken Simonton: Oregon State(1998-2001), 5,044 Yards

The list of top 5 rushers in PAC 12 history begins with Oregon State’s all-time leading rusher. Ken Simonton was the workhorse on arguably the best eras of Oregon State football.

Simonton rushed for over 1000 yards in all three of his seasons at Oregon State. He also scored 59 touchdowns and led OSU to a Fiesta Bowl win and 11-1 record in 2000.

Ken Simonton finished fifth on the all-time conference rusher list and went on to play six seasons as a pro.

4. LaMichael James: Oregon(2009-2011), 5,082 Yards

Fourth in the all-time top 5 rushers in PAC 12 history list is Oregon great LaMichael James. James was easily the conference’s best running back during his era of play.

In 2010, James was a Heisman finalist, and Soak Walker Award winner who rushed for 1,731 yards. He also set the PAC 12 record 2,306 all-purpose yards and led Oregon to the BCS Championship.

In James’s final year, he helped lead Oregon to victory in the 2011 Rose Bowl. His final stats were 5.082 yards and 53 touchdowns.

3. Myles Gaskin: Washington(2015-2018), 5,323 Yards

Washington Huskie Myles Gaskin comes in next on the top 5 rushers in PAC 12 history list. Gaskin was a special running back during an era of dynamic PAC 12 rushers.

Myles became the first Washington running back to rush for over 1000 yards in four consecutive seasons. He helped lead the Huskies to their first playoff appearance with 1,380 yards in 2016.

In Gaskin’s final year, he had his best performance with 1,485 yards and finished his career with 57 touchdowns.

2. Royce Freeman: Oregon(2014-2017), 5,621 Yards 

Another Oregon Ducks great in Royce Freeman is #2 on the top 5 rushers in PAC 12 history list. In his first year as a freshman, Freeman helped Oregon reach the national championship game.

Freeman only improved his second season as he broke LaMichael James’s single-season rushing record with 1,836 yards. On top of being one of the conference’s all-time leading running backs, Freeman holds numerous other records.

He holds the record for most total touchdowns with 64 touchdowns and school record for 100-yard games(31).

1. Charles White: USC(1976-1979), 6,245 Yards

For decades, USC legend Charles White has been #1 on the top 5 rushers in PAC 12 history list. In his four years as a Trojan, White did it all in college football.

He won the Heisman Trophy and national title in the same year in 1979, while leading the nation in rushing. Charles was a key performer in USC’S four straight Rose Bowl appearances.

The USC legend also became one of the first PAC conference players to break over 6,000 yards rushing. For almost 50 years, no other running back has come close to Charles White’s total.