UCLA Bruins Running Backs: A Legacy of Excellence
The UCLA Bruins football program, representing the University of California, Los Angeles, boasts a rich history filled with periods of success and a tradition of producing exceptional talent. As members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, the Bruins have consistently been a competitive force in college football. While the program has produced exceptional quarterbacks, UCLA has also been home to some of the greatest running backs in college football history.
From their early days to more recent times, UCLA running backs have left an indelible mark on the program and the sport. This article explores the history of UCLA running backs, highlighting some of the most outstanding players who have donned the Bruin blue and gold.
Early Pioneers and Multi-Sport Stars
In the early years of the program, several multi-sport athletes made significant contributions to the UCLA football team.
Kenny Washington: Considered one of the Bruins' first Black star football players, Washington rushed for 1,915 yards, a school record for more than 30 years, which still ranks within the school's career top 20. A standout on the UCLA baseball team, he also spent time at quarterback and was a starting defensive back. Washington was honored as a second-team All-American in 1939, and his No. 13 was later retired.
Jackie Robinson: Robinson, renowned for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, was a versatile multi-sport star at UCLA. After playing at Pasadena Junior College, he became the first Bruin to earn a varsity letter in four sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. In 1939, he joined Kenny Washington and Woody Strode as three black players in the Bruins' four-man backfield - a total rarity at the time. In 1940, Robinson was UCLA's top rusher (383 yards), passer (444 yards), and scorer (36 points). He was also among the nation's top return men and started at safety. Though Robinson wore No. 28 on the football team, his famed No. 42 has been retired by Major League Baseball.
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Bob Waterfield: Waterfield was a star for the Bruins before and after serving in World War II. In 1942, Waterfield led the Pacific Coast Conference in passing, throwing for 1,033 yards with 12 touchdowns. He also averaged 40 yards per punt that season. Waterfield played eight seasons for the Rams (1945-1952). He helped the Rams win the 1945 NFL championship in Cleveland and then the 1951 NFL championship in Los Angeles. He was a three-time first-team all-Pro and a 1965 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Paul Fears: A post-World War II-era star, Fears made an impact in just two seasons at UCLA. Fears was part of the 1946 squad that went undefeated during the regular season, then in his final collegiate campaign was named MVP. He was a first-team All-American each season at UCLA, then went on to star for both the Los Angeles Rams. Fears played nine seasons with the Rams (1948-1956). He played in four NFL championship games (1949, 1950, 1951 and 1955), winning the 1951 title. He was a 1970 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mid-Century Standouts
As the UCLA football program grew in prominence, several running backs emerged as key contributors.
Donn Moomaw: Before Moomaw's controversial career as a Presbyterian minister, he was a two-way star for the Bruins during the early 1950s. He's the first UCLA player to be twice named an All-American (1950, '52). Though Moomaw never played in the NFL and spent a little time in the CFL, he is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, had his No. 80 jersey retired by UCLA, and the "Donn D. Moomaw Award" is given annually to UCLA's top defensive player.
Billy Cameron: A native of nearby Burbank, Cameron was another two-way star for the Bruins during the early 1950s. In addition to his ability to effectively run the ball and as a defender, Cameron was known to throw the ball. He threw a key interception during the then-undefeated Bruins' 14-12 loss to rival USC in 1952. That said, Cameron is still considered one of the game's best players of that era, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1951 and sixth in '52. His No. 42 was retired by UCLA.
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Bill Kilmer: A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Kilmer got it done with his legs and arm while the focal point of UCLA's single-wing offensive formation. The All-American enjoyed his best season with the Bruins in 1960 when he led the country with 1,869 total yards of offense. He ran for eight touchdowns and passed for eight that season, during which he ranked fifth in the nation with a 42.3 average yards per punt.
The Beban Era and Beyond
The late 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of legendary quarterback Gary Beban, but also featured talented running backs who contributed to the Bruins' success.
Gary Beban: Also known as "The Great One," Beban is still the only Bruin to win the Heisman Trophy. That came during his stellar 1967 senior season when Beban threw for 1,359 yards and eight touchdowns while running for 227 and 11 TDs. A disappointing 21-20 loss to rival USC kept the Bruins from an undefeated season, but Beban also earned All-American honors and won the Maxwell Award in '67. For his career, Beban ranks among UCLA's leading career passes with 4,087, and is ninth all-time in school history with 5,358 combined rushing and passing yards. He ran for 35 touchdowns while passing for 23. A College Football Hall of Famer, Beban's No. 16 jersey was retired by UCLA.
John Sciarra: Nearly a decade after Gary Beban starred under center for the Bruins, Sciarra came along and put together a career strong enough to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. During his career, the All-American threw for 2,651 yards, still among the top 20 in school history. Meanwhile, his 1,813 career rushing yards are among the most from any UCLA quarterback. Sciarra's 4,464 total yards are also among the most in annals of Bruins football.
The Cross Legacy: To the casual football fan of a certain age, Cross is best known for his stellar career with the San Francisco 49ers (three-time First-Team All-Pro and three-time Super Bowl champion). The foundation was laid at UCLA, where he started all but six of the 34 games he played and the final 23 of his career. An All-American, Cross was part of the Bruins team that stunned top-ranked Ohio State 23-10 in the Rose Bowl to conclude the 1975 season.
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The 1970s: This decade also saw outstanding players such as полным Robinson, Easley and McNeil.
Recent Stars and Record Breakers
In more recent years, UCLA has continued to produce talented running backs who have excelled both on the field and in the NFL. This includes players such as J.D. Hicks, who ranks eighth in school history with 3,140 yards but first with 48 rushing touchdowns and 55 overall scores. Also, there is Maurice Jones-Drew, who has played eight seasons for the Jaguars (2006-2013) and is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
DeShaun Foster: A recent inductee into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame and current Bruins head coach, Foster ranks fifth all-time at UCLA with rushing 3,454 yards (1,109 of those yards came during the 2001 campaign). He ranks among the school's leaders with 44 touchdowns. On Oct. 13, 2001, Foster ran for 301 yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries against Washington.
Johnathan Franklin: It might surprise casual college football fans that Franklin is UCLA's all-time leading rusher with 4,620 yards. He's the only UCLA player to rush for at least 4,000 career yards. Franklin is also the Bruins' single-season rushing leader with 1,734 from 2012 when he averaged a stellar 6.1 yards per carry. When it comes to all-time scoring, Franklin's 33 total touchdowns rank among the school's top 20.
Quarterbacks as a Running Threat
It's important to acknowledge the quarterbacks who significantly contributed to the running game.
Cade McNown took a lot of heat as a pro quarterback for the Chicago Bears, but nobody can argue the success he enjoyed at UCLA. McNown, who became a starter as a true freshman, is the school's all-time passing leader with 10,708 yards. Meanwhile, he ranks among the school's leaders in completions (694), passing touchdowns (68), and total offense (11,285 yards). The Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year and Johnny Unitas Award winner in 1998, McNown - a Chicago Football Hall of Fame member - proudly owns the distinction of going 4-0 against rival USC.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson set a school record by completing 69.6 percent of his passes in 2022. Injuries and COVID extended Thompson-Robinson's career at UCLA, but the time should come when he's recognized as one special player for the Bruins. Though UCLA was not a consistent winner during Thompson-Robinson's tenure, the popular quarterback certainly left his mark on the program, ranking first in career touchdown passes (88), total offense (12,522 yards) and total touchdowns (116), and second in passing yards (10,695) through 48 games. An all-conference selection.
NFL Success
Many UCLA running backs have gone on to have successful careers in the National Football League. Some notable examples include:
- James Lofton: A 1976 NFL Draft pick.
- Eric Easley: An 1981 NFL Draft pick, played seven seasons for the Seahawks (1981-87) and was a five-time Pro Bowl selection.
- Troy Aikman: An 1989 NFL Draft pick, played 12 seasons for the Cowboys (1989-2000), winning three Super Bowls with the team (Super Bowl XXVII, Super Bowl XXVIII and Super Bowl XXX), earned Super Bowl XXVII MVP honors, was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a 2006 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Darrin Nelson
- Tommy Maddox
- Skip Hicks
tags: #ucla #running #backs #history
