Jan. 28, 2010
There was distinct burnt orange tint to the running back position in the 2009 NFL season as three former Longhorns cleared 1,100 yards rushing and all ranked in the top 11 in the league.
Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals, Ricky Williams of the Miami Dolphins and Jamaal Charles of the Kansas City Chiefs all broke the barrier despite Williams and Charles not opening the season as their team’s primary back and Benson missing three games due to injury.
However all three finished impressively and provided one of the most productive seasons for running backs from one school in NFL history. The trio made Texas one of six schools in NFL history to have three former players rush for over 1,000 yards in the same season, joining Miami, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Benson closed the season with 1,251 yards rushing, 111 yards receiving, six total TDs, a 4.4 yards per carry average and 96.2 yards per game average, which was second best in the league.
Williams recorded the fifth 1,000-yard season of his career with 1,121 yards rushing on a 4.7 yards per carry average, 264 yards receiving and 13 total TDs.
Meanwhile, Charles led the league with 5.9 yards per carry and registered 1,120 yards rushing, 297 yards receiving, 925 yards in kick returns and eight total TDs.
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