DRC: Top running backs in UNT history

[SilverEagle]

4 hours ago, UNT86 said:

Abner Haynes has to be #1

Bernard Jackson is my #2.  He is the best I've seen at NT.

Patrick Cobbs is #3.

Lance Dunbar #4.

Jamario #5.

And thanks for mentioning Monte Moon.  Wishbone fullbacks don't get enough credit.

Damn 86, we really agree on a lot.

The late great Bernard Jackson was also one of my all time favorites. A skinny 5'11" X 175lb athlete, he was one of the most unlikely outstanding running backs in NT history. He was recruited out of Carter HS (one of many during the Hayden Fry era) where he played WR/DB. He arrived in 77 and was converted to running back in the spring of 78. He set the record for a single season @ NT in 78 with 1453 yards.  That record held up for a couple of decades. As a runner, he was generally described as a "slasher" which was generally his preference. But he did a little bit of everything.....slashing, spinning, and giving the defender the ol' limp leg. He was also a serious threat as a receiver. He reminded me a lot of the old Dallas Cowboy RB of the 70's, Preston Pearson.

Monte Moon was also a good one to remember. Moon was one of the most dependable RB's we ever had. I don't ever remember him losing yards.

At this point I'll mention that both of these players wore #23. The other outstanding player to wear #23 was Mitch Maher.

 

 

[SilverEagle]

6 hours ago, Cooley said:

1	Abner  Haynes
2	Bernard Jackson
3	Jamario Thomas
4	Patrick Cobb
5	Lance Dunbar
6	Malcolm Jones
7	Ja'quay Wilborn
8	Kevin Galbreath
9	Eric Pegram
10	Jeffrey Wilson
11	A.D. Whitfield
12	Mike Jones
13	Roy Bishop
14	Terrance Brown
15	Bobby Daniels
16	Cedric Cromer
17	David McGinty
18	James Hamilton
19	Monty Moon
20	Antoinne Jimmerson
21	Milton Collins
22	Hut Alred
23	Brandon Byrd
24	Cam Montgomery
25	Eteka Huckaby
26	James Mitchell
27	Micah Mosley
28	Deundrey Mason
29	Mack Cumby
30	Brad Hammick

Cooley, that's a pretty impressive list, but IMHO you left out someone who was better than some of the players on the list.......Bobby Smith #25 on your program. He played just before A.D. Whitfield (early 60's), and like Mr. Whitfield, he had a brief pro career (drafted by Buffalo).

Also missing was NT's first thousand yard rusher......Leo Taylor (1017 in 1968)......I think he wore #21. He also had a career in Canadian Football. For how long I don't remember. His all purpose yards for the two years he was here in 68-69 (running, receiving, returns) was 1652 and 1230 respectively.

And now I'll add my sub-category.......RUNNING BACKS THAT WERE NOT RECORD SETTERS BUT WERE FUN TO WATCH.

#33, Willie Cherry, leading rusher in 65 and 66. Small and very tough. He was a very gritty player. He could have played LB if he wasn't playing RB. I'm told by a classmate of his that he was an ex-marine......and he was crazy. His play kind of reflected that.

#42 Carlen Charleston, leading rusher and all purpose yards leader in 1981. This guy was a lot of fun to watch. At 5'5" X 155lbs, he has to be the smallest leading rusher of any year. He was like watching a miniature Mercury Morris.