Continuing our series ranking the best professional players by position from each conference, this time we turn to running backs from the ACC.
It is fair to say the ACC has been a powerhouse at the position. Four of the top ten all time rushing leaders came from ACC schools, and several programs produced multiple Hall of Fame backs. This conference has a deep and impressive running back legacy, so let’s get into it. And just a reminder, like all of our rankings in this series, this is based on how the player performed in the NFL, not college.
Boston College: AJ Dillon
Dillon spent much of his career as a complementary back behind Aaron Jones in Green Bay, but he was highly effective in short yardage and goal line situations. His best season came in 2021 when he rushed for 803 yards and five touchdowns, which is enough to earn him the top spot for Boston College.
Career Stats: 609 attempts, 2,488 yards, 16 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Troy Stradford
California: Marshawn Lynch
Lynch is best remembered for the Beastquake run and Seattle’s infamous Super Bowl decision, but his career was dominant. Drafted 12th overall by Buffalo, he posted back to back 1,000 yard seasons before being traded to Seattle, where he rushed for over 1,200 yards in four straight years and led the league in touchdowns in 2013 and 2014. He won Super Bowl 48 and was named to the Hall of Fame All 2010s Team.
Career Stats: 2,453 attempts, 10,413 yards, 85 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: CJ Anderson
Clemson: Terry Allen
A ninth round pick in 1990, Allen quickly proved he was undervalued. He rushed for 1,700 yards across his first two seasons and led the league with 21 touchdowns in 1996. Allen recorded four 1,000 yard seasons from 1992 to 1996, despite missing all of 1993 with injury, and added over 1,600 receiving yards.
Career Stats: 2,152 attempts, 8,614 yards, 73 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Kevin Mack
Duke: Steve Jones
Duke has not produced many NFL running backs, making Jones the clear choice. He is the only Duke back to surpass 1,000 career rushing yards, with his best season coming in 1976 when he rushed for 451 yards and eight touchdowns.
Career Stats: 299 attempts, 1,204 yards, 15 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: NA
Florida State: Warrick Dunn
Drafted 12th overall in 1997, Dunn became an immediate star and won Rookie of the Year. A three time Pro Bowler, he recorded three straight 1,000 yard seasons from 2004 to 2006 and won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2004.
Career Stats: 2,669 attempts, 10,967 yards, 49 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Dalvin Cook
Georgia Tech: Dorsey Levens
Levens played 11 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Packers. His best year came in 1997 when he rushed for 1,400 yards and made the Pro Bowl. He won Super Bowl 31 with Green Bay and added over 2,300 receiving yards during his career.
Career Stats: 1,243 attempts, 4,955 yards, 36 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Eddie Lee Ivery
Louisville: MIchael Bush
Bush played six seasons and never earned major accolades, but he was productive when called upon. He rushed for 29 touchdowns during his career and added two more as a receiver.
Career Stats: 809 attempts, 3,250 yards, 29 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Bilal Powell
Miami: Frank Gore
If Eric Dickerson is not the ACC’s best running back, it is because of Frank Gore. Third all time in rushing yards, Gore posted nine 1,000 yard seasons and is a Hall of Fame lock. He is currently a semifinalist in his first year of eligibility.
Career Stats: 3,735 attempts, 16,000 yards, 81 touchdowns
Honorable Mentions: Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis
North Carolina State: Ted Brown
Drafted 16th overall in 1979, Brown never fully lived up to expectations but had a productive career. His best season came in 1981 when he rushed for 1,063 yards.
Career Stats: 1,117 attempts, 4,546 yards, 40 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Nyheim Hines
North Carolina: Javonte Williams
This was a close decision. Giovani Bernard has stronger career numbers, but Williams is still active and closing the gap. Despite injuries, he has found his footing this season in Dallas and recorded his first 1,000 yard rushing season.
Career Stats: 836 attempts, 3,507 yards, 21 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Giovani Bernard
Pittsburgh: Curtis Martin
One of the toughest choices on the list, Martin narrowly edges out Tony Dorsett. A Hall of Famer, Martin ranks sixth all time in rushing yards, was a five time Pro Bowler, and won Rookie of the Year in 1995. From 1995 through 2004, he rushed for over 1,000 yards every season and led the league in 2004.
Career Stats: 3,518 attempts, 14,101 yards, 90 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Tony Dorsett
SMU: Eric Dickerson
Dickerson is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He rushed for over 13,000 yards, ranks ninth all time, and holds the single season rushing record with 2,105 yards. A five time All Pro, Rookie of the Year in 1983, and Hall of Famer, he may be the best back on this list.
Career Stats: 2,996 attempts, 13,259 yards, 90 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Craig James
Stanford: Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey is one of the most versatile backs of the modern era. Still active, he won Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and became just the third player ever to record 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season.
Career Stats: 1,606 attempts, 7,309 yards, 61 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Darrin Nelson
Syracuse: Larry Csonka
Csonka was the centerpiece of the undefeated 1972 Dolphins and won Super Bowl MVP. A two time Super Bowl champion and two time All Pro, he was one of the most dominant runners of his era.
Career Stats: 1,891 attempts, 8,081 yards, 64 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Jim Nance
Virginia: Tiki Barber
A second round pick, Barber recorded five straight 1,200 yard seasons. He earned All Pro honors in 2005 after rushing for 1,860 yards and was selected to three Pro Bowls.
Career Stats: 2,217 attempts, 10,449 yards, 55 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Thomas Jones
Virginia Tech: Kevin Jones
Jones was a first round pick in 2004 and made an immediate impact. His best season came as a rookie with 1,133 rushing yards. He was also a receiving threat, recording 500 rushing and 500 receiving yards in 2006.
Career Stats: 795 attempts, 3,176 yards, 24 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Khalil Herbert
Wake Forest: Clark Gaines
Gaines was a productive back whose career was cut short by injuries. He rushed for 905 yards in 1979 and added nearly 1,500 receiving yards before a broken leg limited him to just 10 games over his final two seasons.
Career Stats: 582 attempts, 2,552 yards, 8 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Jerris McPhail