5 Best College Running Backs 2009

It's no surprise the 5 best college football running backs in 2009 all played in bowl games. 2009 was the first time a running back won the Heisman Trophy in four years.

1. Toby Gerhart. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound bruiser led the nation with 1,871 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. Even though Gerhart finished second in one of the closest Heisman races in history, he still picked up the Doak Walker Award for the best college running back.
   
2. Mark Ingram.  The 5-foot-10 Alabama sophomore beat Gerhart for the Heisman Trophy. Ingram, one of the nation's best running backs, became the first Tide player to win the award. He also helped Alabama roll to its first national title since 1992 by rushing for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns in the powerful SEC..
3. Dion Lewis. The Pitt freshman stepped in for the departed LeSean McCoy and the Panthers' offense didn't miss a beat. Lewis proved himself as one of the best college football running backs by totaling 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns. In addition to being named Big East Freshman of the Year, Lewis also won MVP honors in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
4. Jacquizz Rodgers. No running back could touch the versatility of the Oregon State sophomore. Rodgers rushed for 1,440 yards and 21 touchdowns and also had 522 receiving yards and a touchdown. He established himself as one of the best college football running backs in the Pac-10.
5. C.J. Spiller. This top college football running back might be the best pro prospect. The Clemson speedster came back to school in 2009 for his senior year and rushed for a career-high 1,212 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. He was named ACC Player of the Year.

Resources:

2009 FBS College Football RB Stats