Random thought: who is our most successful NFL RB

[Cardinal Cash]

I don’t think it’s any secret that our most talented RB was Michael Bush, but with Rueben Owens on campus I got to thinking, who is our most notable RB in the NFL that would be good to have show Owens around Campus? Bilal Powell? Bush? I think despite having some solid RBs at the college level we haven’t had too many NFL success stories.

 

[scrumm21]

Bilal's 8 year pro career was very impressive. 8 years in the league at RB is an eternity

 

[Mike'sMarbles]

Rueben Ownens, I hope!

 

[CardX]

Bilal's 8 year pro career was very impressive. 8 years in the league at RB is an eternity

Not only an 8 year career, but all 8 with one team. Too bad it was with the Jets. He had a solid career. Never a star RB, but solid.

108 games played, 850 rushing attempts, 3,675 yards, 15 TD's, 4.3 YPC, 211 receptions, 1,600 yards, 5 TD's. And, I believe he played special teams early in his career. He put in the work.

 

[CardX]

I don’t think it’s any secret that our most talented RB was Michael Bush, but with Rueben Owens on campus I got to thinking, who is our most notable RB in the NFL that would be good to have show Owens around Campus? Bilal Powell? Bush? I think despite having some solid RBs at the college level we haven’t had too many NFL success stories.

Yeah, UofL can be considered (insert position) U for a variety of positions, foremost being QBU. Unfortunately, RBU isn't one of them. That said, current NFL RB's from UofL include Reggie Bonnafon and Javian Hawkins, who just won a Super Bowl ring. Just going from memory, aside from the ones already mentioned in this thread, former Cards RB's who made it to the NFL, let's say the last 30 years or so, are Frank Moreau, Brock Bolin (FB), Carwell Gardner (FB), Kolby Smith, Eric Shelton, Lionel Gates, and Michael Dyer. I'm sure I'm forgetting some.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I think Carwell Gardner. Ron Davenport had a bunch of TDs as a rookie with Miami but didn't really build on that, I think he played in the early 80s.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

Powell hands down

 

[glassmanJ]

carwell made it to the super bowl. and if memory is correct, he like jeff brohm made it to the super bowl. and both from trinity high and at one point there was them two, mike pfeiffer(?) and then brian brohm all played in nfl. so four dudes from local high all played and two made it to the super bowl so pretty cool in a small world.

 

[bigloucards]

Ernie Green in the 60s made 2 pro bowls & a super bowl with the Browns!
Howard Stevens also a good NFL career
Lee Bouggess, Donnie Craft

 

[CardHack]

Talk about someone who maximized their opportunity...Bilal Powell certainly did; from being recruited and signed as somewhat under-the-radar by Kragthorpe to having Charlie Strong pronounce him "the Face of the Program" . Running backs have the shortest career span of virtually any position in American professional sports.

Owens has a skill set very coveted by creative coordinators these days; he runs between the tackles very well in HS though it sounds like his O line may have graduated...but his camp highlights show somebody who looks like they transition easily to coming out of the backfield. When you think about it over-the-shoulder and back shoulder catches for RBs isn't exactly common.

 

[The Public Enemy]

It is Ernie Green ... multiple Pro Bowler ... NFL Champion and shared the backfield in the NFL in Cleveland with Pro Football Hall of Fame Members RB LeRoy Kelly and Jim Brown

 

[nccardfan]

The guy who should be on the list is Walter Peacock, U of L’s all time leading rusher. I guess he wasn’t given a chance in the NFL.

 

[BooneCo_Card]

The guy who should be on the list is Walter Peacock, U of L’s all time leading rusher. I guess he wasn’t given a chance in the NFL.

Bio on Card HOF site said he was an Academic All-American and a 1977 graduate of the Speed School. He went on to form his own IT company. Perhaps it was he who eschewed the NFL.

 

[Mayoman]

I don't know about all of that....but it sure was fun to watch him play and run the ball all over the place. He was an awesome player in his day....looks like his awesomeness spilled over in his personal life after CFB....speaks volume for his character and abilities outside of FB.

 

[CardsFan2112]

Going back a few years, but I was a big fan of Ralph Dawkins

 

[CardsFan2112]

And Anthony Shelman

 

[Morgantown Card]

Not only an 8 year career, but all 8 with one team. Too bad it was with the Jets. He had a solid career. Never a star RB, but solid.

108 games played, 850 rushing attempts, 3,675 yards, 15 TD's, 4.3 YPC, 211 receptions, 1,600 yards, 5 TD's. And, I believe he played special teams early in his career. He put in the work.

Bilal was part of the big U-turn for hte program in Charlie's first year. I remember that big run he had, can't remember the opponent, but it was a MAN'S run that at the time I thought yeah we're going to be alright.

Also, IIRC, Krag burned his redshirt by playing Powell in the final game of the year that last season. That is from memory though. Wasn't a great time, haha.

 

[Sound.Slave]

Bilal was part of the big U-turn for hte program in Charlie's first year. I remember that big run he had, can't remember the opponent, but it was a MAN'S run that at the time I thought yeah we're going to be alright.

Also, IIRC, Krag burned his redshirt by playing Powell in the final game of the year that last season. That is from memory though. Wasn't a great time, haha.

 

[beantowncard]

Ernie Green in the 60s made 2 pro bowls & a super bowl with the Browns!
Howard Stevens also a good NFL career
Lee Bouggess, Donnie Craft

I don’t think the Browns have ever played in a super bowl

 

[bigloucards]

I don’t think the Browns have ever played in a super bowl

You’re correct, but they did win 4 NFL championships before it became named the “Super Bowl“
Ernie Green won the 1964 NFL championship