Despite some injury issues and an abysmal offensive line, Cam Akers enjoyed one of the better careers of any running back ever to play at Florida State.
The school record holder for rushing yards by a freshman, Akers spent three seasons in Tallahassee. That was enough time for the Mississippi native to move into sixth all-time at FSU in career rushing yards and seventh in rushing touchdowns.
Akers recently bolstered his draft stock in Indianapolis with a stellar NFL Combine. His performance led us to look into which FSU backs were selected the highest in the NFL Draft. Here are the top five selections:
5. Greg Allen
Selected: Second round, 35th overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 1985 NFL Draft
Years/Teams: Cleveland Browns (1985), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1986)
Career Stats: 36 yards rushing
Overview: The greatest running back ever to play at Florida State at the time, Greg Allen never found his footing in the NFL. Allen lasted just two seasons with two different teams and carried the ball just nine times in nine career games.
4. William Floyd
Selected: First round, 28th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1994 NFL Draft
Years/Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1994-97), Carolina Panthers (1998-2000)
Career Stats: 1,141 yards rushing, 20 rushing touchdowns, 1,427 yards receiving, five touchdown catches
Overview: The lone fullback to make the list, William Floyd enjoyed seven productive years in the NFL. Floyd never made the Pro Bowl, but started at least eight games in each of his seven NFL seasons. As a rookie in 1994, Floyd accounted for six of his 25 career touchdowns and was an intricate part of the San Francisco 49ers’ world championship team.
3. Dexter Carter
Selected: First round, 25th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1990 NFL Draft
Years/Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1990-95, 1996); New York Jets (1995)
Career Stats: 1,042 yards rushing, five rushing touchdowns, 656 yards receiving, two touchdown catches, two punt return touchdowns, two kickoff return touchdowns
Overview: Dexter Carter spent seven years in the NFL — mostly with the San Francisco 49ers. For most of his career, Carter was a situational back. Four of his 11 career touchdowns however, came on special teams. As a rookie in 1990, Carter led the 49ers with 460 yards on the ground and led all rookies in all-purpose yardage. In 1996, Carter was named to the 49ers’ 50th Anniversary All-Time team.
2. Warrick Dunn
Selected: First round, 12th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1997 NFL Draft
Years/Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997-2001, 2008), Atlanta Falcons (2002-07)
Career Stats: 10,967 yards rushing, 49 rushing touchdowns, 4,339 yards receiving, 15 touchdown catches
Overview: The 1997 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Warrick Dunn had a decorated 12-year NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. A 3-time Pro Bowler, Dunn eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark five times in his career. With nearly 11,000 career yards, Dunn ranks in the top 25 all-time in that category.
1. Sammie Smith
Selected: First round, ninth overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 1989 NFL Draft
Years/Teams: Miami Dolphins (1989-91), Denver Broncos (1992)
Career Stats: 1,881 yards rushing, 15 rushing touchdowns, 310 receiving yards, one touchdown catch
Overview: The highest FSU running back ever selected, Sammie Smith lasted just four seasons in the NFL. Smith’s best season was his second in 1990 as he rushed for more than 800 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns for a Miami Dolphins team that finished 12-4. After three years with the Dolphins, Smith appeared in just three games with the Denver Broncos in 1992.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.
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