One of the greatest running backs of all-time, Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson smashed records at TCU
5 | LaDainian Tomlinson (1997-2000)
TCU’s all-time leading rusher, LaDainian Tomlinson has over 1,500 more career yards than next in line, slicing through defenses throughout his four years with the Horned Frogs. Tomlinson led the nation in rushing in 1999 & 2000, finishing fourth in voting for the 2000 Heisman Trophy, earning 47 first place votes. His senior season was one of the most acclaimed for any TCU player, named WAC Offensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American, Tomlinson won the Doak Walker Award & Jim Brown Award, given to the nation’s best running back.
Tomlinson was a star contributor as a freshman and sophomore, with 1,255 yards and 14 touchdowns in those two seasons, but he took a leap to all-time superstar status as a junior, doing things never before seen in college football. In 1999 vs UTEP, LT rushed for six touchdowns and an NCAA record 406 yards, a record that would stand for 15 years and the first ever 400-yard rushing performance. Tomlinson’s explosion on the national scene would continue in 2000, as his 2,158 rushing yards led the nation and still stands as a top-ten all-time rushing season. He rushed for at least 119 yards in each game, including five games of 200+ and a 305-yard effort against UTEP. LT finished his career with 5,236 rushing yards and 54 rushing touchdowns, both TCU records by a wide margin. He has the two highest single-season rushing totals in program history and six of the top-ten single-game rushing performances at TCU. Named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014, Tomlinson’s number 5 was retired by TCU in 2005.
Tomlinson was selected fifth overall by the San Diego Chargers in the First Round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He’d go on to also have his number 21 retired by the Chargers franchise, becoming an all-time great pro career highlighted by an MVP season in 2006, six times named an All-Pro, and a five-time Pro Bowler. Tomlinson holds the NFL record with 18 consecutive games with a touchdown and his 2006 season set an NFL record for touchdowns and points scored. LT was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a first-ballot selection in 2017.
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