AFL/NFL 1,000 Yard Rushers State by State Rank: Installment 3

Installment 3 of this database gives detailed lists of 1,000 yard rushers born in states ranking between 11-20 on the per capita scale.

For those of you more interested in an overview of state by state per capita rankings and overall production ranking for all states with 1,000 yard rushers, a link to an overview in installment 1 can be found in the text box to your right.

For those of you interested in other installments for 1,000 yard rushers, links can also be found in the text box to your right and at the end of this installment.

For those of you interested in other state by state rankings, links can be found by clicking on the Larry Rankin profile in the top right-hand corner of this page or via links at the bottom of this page.

The following database was compiled using NFL.com, Profootballreference.com, and Wikipedia for reference.

If you find any information to be inaccurate in any way, not only would the author not mind your comments, he would appreciate them.

Per Capita Score: 266

1,000 Yard Rushing Performances: 22

Virginia has had a number of great backs over the years. Tiki Barber leads the way in career performance with 6 thousand yard seasons, over 10,000 career rushing yards, and is one of just a few backs to rush for over 10,000 career yards and receive for over 5,000.

Obscure Stats: Michael Vick is the only quarterback to ever rush for over 1,000 yards, with 1,039 yards in 2006. Vick also has the record for average yards a carry for a “back” going over 1,000 yards at 8.447 yards a carry.

Obscure Stats: Beattie Feathers rushing performance in 1934 is distinguishable for two reasons. It is the first time in recorded professional football history that a back went over 1,000 yards and his 119 carries got him to 1,000 yards in less attempts than any player to date. His 8.437 yards a carry falls just short of Michael Vick for highest yards per carry average for a 1,000 yard rusher.

Per Capita Score: 216

1,000 Yard Rushing Performances: 4

Curt Warner for the Seahawks, not to be confused with Kurt Warner the quarterback, was a quality running back during the 1980s. His 4 thousand yard performances is enough to get sparsely populated West Virginia to 12^th on our per capita rushing list.

Per Capita Score: 180

1,000 Yard Rushing Performances: 16

Franco Harris, with over 12,000 career yards and 8 career thousand yard rushing performances, is one of the best backs to ever play the game. Also of note, he was able to achieve these feats spending the majority of his career at fullback.

Per Capita Score: 169

1,000 Yard Rushing Performances: 10

Chris Warren and Chuck Foreman were both elite backs during their respective eras. Though Foreman spent much of his illustrious career at fullback, his best seasons were spent as the primary ball carrier.

Per Capita Score: 168

1,000 Yard Rushing Performances: 8

Stephen Davis, a back during the late 1990s and early 2000s, is the primary contributor to South Carolina’s list of 1,000 yard rushers.

Per Capita Score: 166

1,000 Yard Rushing Performances: 8

Joe Cribbs, with 3 thousand yard performances, had a nice career during the early 80s. Bobby Humphrey had a very promising start to his career, but contract disputes and injuries led to his early departure from the league.

Per Capita Score: 152

1,000 Yard Rushing Performances: 15

Jerome Bettis, the Bus, was a large, grinding back who had a long and distinguished career. His 8 thousand yard seasons tops the list of backs from Michigan.

James Brooks was a dynamic back who wore many hats with the Bengals. Though he didn’t carry the ball 300 times a season, he was elusive and often averaged more than 5 yards a carry.

Per Capita Score: 132.4

1,000 Yard Rushing Performances: 8

Coming in at 18^th on our per capita rushing list is Missouri. Though they had short-lived careers at the elite level, Billy Sims and James Wilder were tremendous athletes.

Not only did Wilder carry the ball 407 times for the 1984 Buccaneers, he caught the ball 85 times that same season. Overuse of Wilder by the Bucs is probably a contributing factor to his reduced effectiveness later in his career.

Billy Sims was a Heisman Trophy winner and first round pick who excelled for the Lions for 3 years, but injuries led to his early departure from the league.

Per Capita Score: 132

1,000 Yard Rushing Performances: 13

Little Joe Morris, at 5’6”, is among the smallest backs in stature to break the 1,000 yard mark. Though he had a distinguished career with the giants, his small size and hardnosed running style contributed to a short career.

Per Capita Score: 130

1,000 Yard Rushing Performances: 5

Oklahoma has produced a lot of great athletes over the years, especially on the per capita scale, but at running back on the professional level, there hasn’t been much.

The most notable name on this list is probably Steve Owens, but more for his college career at OU than his professional accolades. At OU he won a Heisman Trophy, but in the NFL his career was less exceptional.