The Big Ten has long had a reputation for fielding offenses that pound the rock and grind out yards on the ground. When cold weather becomes a factor towards the middle of the season, teams need workhorses in the backfield to take the load off the passing game. As a result, the Big Ten routinely cranks out excellent running backs who put up big numbers during their careers and earn prominent roles on NFL squads.
The list of elite backs the conference has produced recently is extensive. Melvin Gordon, James White, and Montee Ball of Wisconsin, Ezekiel Elliott and Carlos Hyde of Ohio State, Jordan Howard and Tevin Coleman of Indiana, Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska, and Le’Veon Bell of Michigan State are just some of the biggest names who enjoyed great success in the Big Ten.