Top 5 FAU RBs

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Chuck King

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BOCA RATON – The five best running backs in FAU history? That’s not an easy list to create – especially when ranking the Top 2.

Following FAU football’s best season in program history, and with about a month to kill before the start of fall camp, this seems like a good time to reflect on past football seasons and players. Ultimately those thoughts led to a fun question: Who are the five best FAU players at each position in program history?

While considering the best of the best at FAU, players were judged on their performance (statistics), what they meant to their team and sheer physical talent. As part of our research for this list we consulted with former players, former coaches and media members who’ve covered the Owls. Reaching the NFL is an indicator of talent, but players who played professionally weren’t necessarily placed above some who didn’t.

For the purposes of this list, we combined tailback and fullback into one position, most notably because – as much as Trey Hendrickson and Trevon Coley will argue – FAU really hasn’t employed a fullback since 2011.



With that in mind, let’s get to the list.

5. Willie Rose (2006-09): Yes, we wanted to ensure fullbacks were recognized in this list, but Rose’s inclusion is no gift. Rose rushed for 972 yards during his career, averaging 4.93 yards per carry, and tallied 687 receiving yards. His 10 career receiving TDs are tied for ninth in FAU history. He led the way for Charles Pierre during those first two bowl seasons, while also serving as Rusty Smith’s personal protector and outlet receiver. Rose signed with Tennessee following his FAU career, though he never made a regular season roster. He edges Doug Parker for this spot. Fullback Aaron Sanchez also deserves recognition.

4. Buddy Howell (2014-17): Injuries and the emergence of a super back limited Howell’s contributions throughout his career, but he still became FAU’s fourth-leading rusher with 2,419 yards. Howell’s 22 rushing touchdowns are fifth most in FAU history, and his 13 rushing touchdowns in 2016 set an FAU single-season record – at least for a little while, anyway. While most can easily recall Devin Singletary’s astounding statistics from 2017, few realize that Howell still rushed for 740 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 6.61 yards per carry as a backup. Howell parlayed his FAU career into a professional one. He’s currently a member of the Miami Dolphins.



3. Charles Pierre (2004-08): Pierre doesn’t receive the accolades heaped upon the Top 2 running backs on this list do, but he’s a Top 3 running back in most every FAU statistical category. His 3,069 yards are currently second-most among Owls and his 23 touchdowns tie for third. Pierre carried the ball as the primary back for the Owls’ first two bowl teams. His 1,014 rushing yards in 2008 are the most in a single season by someone not named Morris or Singletary.

2. Alfred Morris (2007-11): Alfred Morris not the best running back in FAU history? Wow, that’s an agonizing sentence to write. Morris is on FAU football’s Mount Rushmore. No one has rushed for more than the 3,331 yards Morris did in his career. His 27 TDs are second most. He literally carried FAU’s offense during one of the bleakest periods in program history. Unfortunately, we’ll never know how productive Morris would have been in Lane Kiffin’s offense. He’s No. 2 on this list, but that in no way diminishes Morris’ career. He’s an icon.



1. Devin Singeltary (2016-Present): When drawing the final conclusion, it’s impossible to overlook what the back known as “Motor” accomplished last season. Only two players in the history of college football have rushed for more touchdowns in a season than Singletary. His 1,920 rushing yards last season set a program record and were fourth most nationally. He’s a Heisman Trophy dark horse entering the 2018 season. And 2017 wasn’t simply a one-season phenomenon. The 1,021 yards Singletary posted as a freshmen – mostly as a backup – represents the third highest single-season total in program history. Singletary’s 44 touchdowns are nearly 20 more than any other FAU back. Singletary still has two years remaining to gain the 912 yards he needs to pass Morris and become the Owls’ career rushing leader. With his combination of power, elusiveness and vision, we’re betting it happens by November.

FAU Football Top 5 Position Countdown



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