Mizzou Football: Five Best Running Backs Of All-Time

Number Four: Henry Josey

Henry Josey could have easily taken over the top running back spot if only he had stayed healthy. Josey split carries as a freshman getting the ball only 76 times and still managed to put up 437 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry that season, which would wind up being the lowest average of his career.

Josey missed part of the 2011 season and all of the 2012 season with a severe knee injury. He was on a tear during the 2011 season averaging 8.1 yards per carry and scoring nine touchdowns. He put up over 1000 yards in only 10 games and 145 attempts. The yards per carry ranked second in the NCAA during the 2011 season.

Henry Josey came back from his knee injury in 2013 and put up a still impressive 6.7 yards per attempt carrying the ball 174 times and scoring 15 touchdowns. He rushed for over 1000 yards for the second year in a row (that he played), and helped Mizzou to their first SEC championship game.

Though they’d go on to lose that game, Josey did his part carrying the ball nine times for 123 yards. That’s over 13 yards per attempt! Josey carried his weight again in the Cotton Bowl leading Mizzou to a 41-31 victory over Oklahoma St. He carried a much less gaudy 7.7 yards per attempt in that game but did manage to score three touchdowns in spite of the poor rushing performance. (Relax…I’m being sarcastic)

Josey finished his MU career with 2,771 rushing yards. Had he played another season or stayed healthy for his entire career he would have shattered the running back rushing record and perhaps even bested Brad Smith for most all-time. Not only is he fifth on the all-time list, he ranks both fifth and sixth in single-season rushing performances.

It’s a shame that Josey got hurt. Not only did it prevent him from becoming the best ever at Mizzou, it may have derailed any real shot he had at an NFL career.

Next: Go West Young Man