List of NCAA major college football yearly rushing leaders

They are Ricky Williams of Texas (1997–1998), Troy Davis of Iowa State (1995–1996), Charles White of USC (1978–1979), O. J. Simpson of USC (1967–1968), Preacher Pilot of New Mexico State (1961–1962), Art Luppino of Arizona (1954–1955), and Rudy Mobley of Hardin-Simmons (1942, 1946).

Pervis Atkins led the country in 1959, followed by Bob Gaiters in 1960 and then Pilot in the next two seasons.

The most recent program to have back-to-back rushing leaders is San Diego State, with Donnel Pumphrey in 2016 and Rashaad Penny in 2017.

[1] The record of 37 rushing touchdowns in a season was set by Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State in 1988.

As a general rule, teams are listed with their current athletic brand names, which do not always reflect those used in the relevant season.

Jim Thorpe at the 1912 Summer Olympics; the same year he had approximately 2,000 yards rushing.
Barry Sanders
Montee Ball