ESPN names RBU, updates Top 5 for running back producing schools
The title of ‘Running Back U’ is one of the most coveted titles in college athletics. You get it by having a long history of finding and developing great running backs, then using them to set the identity of your program. Being RBU means that you’re a physical team that wants to shove the ball down opponents’ throats. Now, ESPN has announced their RBU.
For ESPN, RBU is Alabama.
ESPN’s process for deciding this goes back to 1998. That’s because the BCS started then, as a way of judging modern college football. In that time span, schools were judged by all-conference and All-American selections, draft position, and early NFL success. That way, there is some methodology for deciding who is RBU.
ESPN’s top five RBU schools
Here are the top five schools that ESPN has listed as RBU:
Here are the best RBU schools by conference:
ACC-Miami
Big 12-Oklahoma
Big Ten-Wisconsin
PAC-12-Oregon
SEC-Alabama
Non-Power 5-Memphis
“It’s tough to argue with the numbers here. Since 2011, 10 Tide running backs have been selected in the first three rounds of the NFL draft, including Brian Robinson Jr. in the 2022 draft. Two have won Heisman trophies. Four of the NFL’s top 15 rushers in 2021 came from Alabama,” writes David M. Hale for ESPN.
ESPN also points out that Iowa State has had a lot of recent success, while Syracuse deserves to be recognized for its historic running back production. Players like Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, and Floyd Little are just a few of the all-time greats who have played for the Orange.
Still, Alabama takes the cake with players like Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry who have come through the program since Nick Saban got to Tuscaloosa. Whether Alabama stays on top, or if a school like Wisconsin or LSU can catch them remains to be seen.