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Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders No. 9 on ESPN’s list of greatest college football players

Sanders set an FBS-record with 2,628 rushing yards during his 1988 Heisman-winning season.

By Brandon M. Cain
Oklahoma State Cowboys Photo by Oklahoma State/Collegiate Images via Getty Images

Oklahoma State’s Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders was honored Monday night alongside the greatest to ever play the game.

ESPN has counted down the final 25 on its list of the 150 greatest college football players of all time, and Sanders was ranked No. 9. The 1988 Heisman Trophy winning running back was recognized at halftime of the College Football Playoff national championship game between Clemson and LSU at The Superdome in New Orleans. The list was compiled by 150 former players and coaches, media and administrators.

Sanders had 3,556 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns during his three-year career for the Cowboys from 1986-88. He capped his college career with a FBS-record 2,628 rushing yards and set 34 NCAA records in his Heisman-winning 1988 season.

ESPN’s Top 10 greatest players in CFB history

  1. Jim Brown, RB, Syracuse (1954-56)
  2. Herschel Walker, RB, Georgia (1980-82)
  3. Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn (1982-85)
  4. Archie Griffin, RB, Ohio State (1972-75)
  5. Jim Thorpe, B, Carlisle (1907-12)
  6. Red Grange, RB, Illinois (1923-25)
  7. Earl Campbell, RB, Texas (1974-77)
  8. Dick Butkus, LB, Illinois (1962-64)
  9. Barry Sanders, RB, Oklahoma State (1986-88)
  10. Gale Sayers, RB, Kansas (1962-64)

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