I think Herschel rushed for way more yards in college than Bo in only three years and he was both the SEC player of the year and consensus all American 3 times. Bo didn't match that. Herschel scored more tds too. They both won the Heisman though.
So I'll pick Herschel.
But Bo was the better all around athlete, imo. What he did was unreal.
Great topic.
Not as good as chocolate chip cookies or intolerance, but great just the same.
but can you imagine what Barry Sanders would have done had he started more than just one season? Good God, he might have rushed for 7000 yards and 70 TDs in 3 seasons.
Hershel was a physical freak with blazing speed but very raw with his football skills. At GA he just ran over people or just blazed away. The NFL was different. But at GA he was a big man vs little boys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nc2XsimM90
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go0BazyFLzg
Bo Jackson ran with as much power and as much speed and had such an amazing running body lean at Auburn. He was a finished product right away. He had better vision and could cut like a much smaller back. I've never seen anyone like him before or after. If he chose to concentrate only on football and went to a stable team and stayed healthy he would be considered as one of the greatest football players ever. He was that talented.
But he also played on better teams at UGA than Bo had at Auburn. Both of them were total physical freaks. I was a bit too young to remember them in college, but based off of my memories of them in the NFL, Bo seemed like the more natural, instinctive runner.
Were amazing. Two guys that were both freak athletes. Walker's pro career was r as good as it should have been IMO which is why some people might lean towards Bo. Great question
I agree that Herschel did not have as much hype as Bo in the pros though he still had a very good career. I believe he played three years with the USFL and he carried the ball a lot. Perhaps if he came straight to the NFL he would be viewed differently.
in the NFL, is that between the two of them, there were only 2 1,000+ yard seasons - both by Herschel. And he also had a couple in the USFL.
Bo also had two years in college where he didn't break 1,000 yards.
What also ended up being apparent in the NFL is that Walker was a dual threat back and caught the ball frequently (which wasn't the case at UGA). Jackson was still pretty one-dimensional.
I think this is a case where both players were excellent.
and played on better teams at UGA, won a national title. Hard to find a better collegiate rushing career, especially in only three seasons. UGA compiled something like 33-3 and 18-0 in conference with HW as the motor of the team. Bo had greater potential imo, but we only saw two seasons of it. I forget why his Junior year was so unproductive. Two men amongst boys.
People forget Georgia was no powerhouse before he got there, and he carried them to the NC as a freshman and frankly should have won the heisman. Also got Georgia to the defacto national title game vs.Penn State as a junior. I could see a strong argument for Bo too. I'd just take Hershel.
Bo was easily the best athlete that I rooted for that played football in my lifetime. He was inhuman in his prime. In College he was on lesser teams than Hershel. Both amazing players though.
But, and I was young, he didn't have a lot of wiggle. More of a north-south runner with power. Which was a great combination. And his three year numbers were insanely great - over 5K+ yards rushing, 5.3 YPC, and 49 rushing TDs.
Jackson didn't have the cumulative numbers of HW, but he did run for 4,300 yards over 4 years, had a incredible 6.6 YPC, and racked up 43 rushing TDs. And he has more variety to his running style - north/south and he could make the defense miss.
When you compare their specific Heisman years, I give the edge to Jackson.
Hershal was a Giant for one season in 1995 and hardly did anything aside from a play here and there. He played a few more years in Dallas before calling it a career
Hershal was a Giant for one season in 1995 and hardly did anything aside from a play here and there. He played a few more years in Dallas before calling it a career
And even in those few plays, he was much better than when he went to Dallas. He only had 16 carries while there. With the Giants he had a statistical anomaly. He had an equal amount of carries and receptions - 31 each.
Hershal was a Giant for one season in 1995 and hardly did anything aside from a play here and there. He played a few more years in Dallas before calling it a career
And even in those few plays, he was much better than when he went to Dallas. He only had 16 carries while there. With the Giants he had a statistical anomaly. He had an equal amount of carries and receptions - 31 each.
I remember hearing that Dan Reeves didn't really seem to know how to use him on his offense
I was really into trying to find out the difference between the two about a couple years ago. There are some really in depth YouTube highlight videos of both guys from the same channel.
Bo gets so much hype as a freak athlete but Herschel was right there with him. They were both in insanely fast at a similar weight. From what I read, Herschel actually ran better times in the 100m in college by a slight but clear amount. Not sure how much of that was technique vs. better long speed, probably a bit of both since Herschel seemed to be less of a complete natural than Bo physically. The workout warrior vs. natural comp can be seen in how both guys look physically today.
Their highlights were super close in terms of which was more impressive. I would go back and forth constantly watching those vids on whose running style impressed me more. I expected Bo to be a clear winner in terms of “wow factor” but it wasn’t the case, Herschel was just as amazing.
I forget but I think one thing I noticed was that Bo’s running style stood out a little more. Not sure if he took shorter steps or had more swivel but he looked more unique than Herschel. Both guys absolutely exploded off the LOS when handed the rock but there was a certain smoothness to Bo’s style that just looked weirder. His acceleration was insane.
When reading other forums on this subject, reading what smart BBIers said on this subject, and old articles; there seemed to be a bit of a consensus that while both were similar size/speed freaks that Bo had a little more agility/smoothness that set him a tiny bit apart.
It’s impossible to compare their college stats due to the vastly different offenses and roles they had. Jackson was in a wishbone whereas Walker was the deep back in the I formation at Georgia. Walker also carried a bigger load.
It’s close and really a toss up. If you watch those videos on YouTube I seriously doubt you would say one guy was clearly more amazing a runner. I think Bo was slightly more unique and naturally blessed all-around but Walker was right there with him and had the better overall college career.
I am a few years older than you and was in my teens when Sanders was at Ok State. And to this day, I have never seen anything like him - college and pros.
Not sure why, but I don’t think it was the baseball thing. Herschel had the more impressive college career overall, but Ron Dayne racked up massive numbers at a high level of competition too.
After college, Bo’s light shone brighter, but much more briefly. Walker’s USFL yardage means little. In the NFL, his most notable achievement was getting traded.
Ha. No offense, but picking Bo over Herschel is one thing
but bringing up Ron Dayne for any reason is kind of comical.
There are plenty of running backs over time that had Heisman Trophy type years, but talking about Ron Dayne and Herschel Walker in the same breath is like talking about Charlie Ward and John Elway…
Googs: I was just highlighting the limited usefulness of stats…
… at the stratospheric talent level of Jackson and Walker, where yardage totals can be a distraction. For Dayne vs. Pumphrey, the stat sheet is the biggest thing. For Bo vs. Herschel, I think you have to trust your eyes.
RE: Googs: I was just highlighting the limited usefulness of stats…
… at the stratospheric talent level of Jackson and Walker, where yardage totals can be a distraction. For Dayne vs. Pumphrey, the stat sheet is the biggest thing. For Bo vs. Herschel, I think you have to trust your eyes.
He has no place in this comparison at all. I’ve never seen a brown man that fell down easier than Ron Dayne. Cream puff. But to answer the question Hershel was the better player. But not by a bid difference.
His gifts popped off the TV screen, and then really showed up in the NFL before the injuries. Who wasn't blown away by the long off-tackle TD runs he busted at Auburn, or the 91 yarder on Monday Night in Seattle. Special talent. HW was a straight line robotic runner, but he had a better, more complete college career. I give him the edge based on the all-around stats, accolades, and carrying UGA to a national title. And, I said this wanting to anoint Bo in this comparison.
HW was world class fast, but Bo was running sub-4.2 40s and made it a thing. Remember all the talk in the sports rags of him running a 4.12 ! My $ would've been on Bo in a sprint.
His gifts popped off the TV screen, and then really showed up in the NFL before the injuries. Who wasn't blown away by the long off-tackle TD runs he busted at Auburn, or the 91 yarder on Monday Night in Seattle. Special talent. HW was a straight line robotic runner, but he had a better, more complete college career. I give him the edge based on the all-around stats, accolades, and carrying UGA to a national title. And, I said this wanting to anoint Bo in this comparison.
HW was world class fast, but Bo was running sub-4.2 40s and made it a thing. Remember all the talk in the sports rags of him running a 4.12 ! My $ would've been on Bo in a sprint.
You’re one of those people I meant in my earlier post when I mentioned receiving thoughts on this subject by smart BBIers. But I think you go a little overboard on calling Herschel a “robotic” athlete. His highlights blew my mind to an almost similar degree to Bo’s, I would agree that Bo was more fluid/agile but it really wasn’t by THAT much. Both guys were similar freaks.
Herschel ran a faster 100m in college at a very similar weight (no idea the actual weight of the two at the time). I do think Bo’s acceleration stood out a little bit more but that could be my preconceived bias of the two playing a role, also the stride length which I mentioned earlier and is hard to place. Both guys were CLEARLY faster than Saquon who we know is a freak.
I think there is something to be said about Bo being a natural who barely lifted but could lift like hell when he felt like it. Herschel was far more chiseled, dude remains a Greek God at 50. But Bo was a naturally lumberjack thick build who didn’t even need to try THAT hard to be arguably the best pure athlete any of us have seen.
It reminds me of the LT stories of him not even trying to workout hard because he wanted everyone to know he was just naturally better and there was nothing they could do about it. I think that mentality of “rawness” among great athletes will never be seen again. I think those guys had an added flexibility and agility that you will never see again in freakish elite muscle-bound athletes of the present/future. Herschel was more modern in that aspect, Bo was just raw greatness.
But you can't accurately compare RBs without some context in terms of offensive scheme, schedule, OL, and situational football, not to mention myriad other factors.
Plus, Bo had the additional opportunity to play professional baseball, thus affecting his college numbers and potential accolades.
The only thing I'm certain of is that Bo was an infinitely better athlete. But that's not the question at hand and shouldn't be a factor.
I go with Bo just from my recollections. I just thought he was a one-man wrecking crew that has a bit more power and acceleration than HW. But, I think it’s awfully close.
… is that Walker became the centerpiece of Dooley’s offense at 18. Jackson carried a comparable load just one year, by which point he was turning 23. At that age, Herschel was already in his third USFL season.
If Bo was more of a “natural” - and I agree he was - it may have been in part because he was much more physically mature.
I could be. HW ran with a little bit of a wiggle in college, but the big thing was he was literally a man amongst boys out there. His workout ethic was famous and the focal point of a Sports Illustrated article that inspired a generation my age to start pumping out the pushups and situps all day long, in an effort to make two-a-day football practices during August more bearable.
I'd agree Bo was more natural and didn't really work at it like HW did. I'd still bet on Bo to win in a 40, 60, and 100, his acceleration and extra gear were hard to believe for a man his size. He had great hips, feet, was nimble, you felt like he could leap out of a gymnasium. Both were men amongst boys, fow HW it was apparent even at 18 when he was an amazing frosh.
Not a slam dunk either way. Both guys were freaks of nature
and clearly men amongst boys in college football. I probably give Bo the slightest of edges here in running talent while Herschel was fast but more of a brute force.
As an aside, still remember when Bo hit that monster home run at the opening of the MLB All Star game years ago. It was epic.
But that's a great question.
I think Herschel rushed for way more yards in college than Bo in only three years and he was both the SEC player of the year and consensus all American 3 times. Bo didn't match that. Herschel scored more tds too. They both won the Heisman though.
So I'll pick Herschel.
But Bo was the better all around athlete, imo. What he did was unreal.
Great topic.
Not as good as chocolate chip cookies or intolerance, but great just the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nc2XsimM90
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go0BazyFLzg
Bo Jackson ran with as much power and as much speed and had such an amazing running body lean at Auburn. He was a finished product right away. He had better vision and could cut like a much smaller back. I've never seen anyone like him before or after. If he chose to concentrate only on football and went to a stable team and stayed healthy he would be considered as one of the greatest football players ever. He was that talented.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyOsJQGJz-w
Not even close.
OK. Please explain.
In comment 15308361 Bricktop said:
But Bo was the better all around athlete, imo.
In comment 15308361 Bricktop said:
Quote:
But Bo was the better all around athlete, imo.
Yeah, ok. In bobsled. That's impressive for sure. But Bo played two professional sports and was amazing at both before the hip injury.
Bo also had two years in college where he didn't break 1,000 yards.
What also ended up being apparent in the NFL is that Walker was a dual threat back and caught the ball frequently (which wasn't the case at UGA). Jackson was still pretty one-dimensional.
I think this is a case where both players were excellent.
Yep. You missed where there was even an option to discuss OJ. The OP's question was about Hershel or Bo.
Is that really tough to figure out why OJ might not get discussed?
Quote:
I know it's before my time and all but is there something I missed?
Yep. You missed where there was even an option to discuss OJ. The OP's question was about Hershel or Bo.
Is that really tough to figure out why OJ might not get discussed?
Surprised you didn't bring up the guy who mentioned Jim Brown
Jackson didn't have the cumulative numbers of HW, but he did run for 4,300 yards over 4 years, had a incredible 6.6 YPC, and racked up 43 rushing TDs. And he has more variety to his running style - north/south and he could make the defense miss.
When you compare their specific Heisman years, I give the edge to Jackson.
HW's Heisman year: 1,752 rushing yards, 16 TDs, 5.2 YPC.
Jackson's Heisman year: 1,786 rushing yards, 17 TDs, 6.4 YPC.
And even in those few plays, he was much better than when he went to Dallas. He only had 16 carries while there. With the Giants he had a statistical anomaly. He had an equal amount of carries and receptions - 31 each.
OJ was clearly better the either of them.
Quote:
Hershal was a Giant for one season in 1995 and hardly did anything aside from a play here and there. He played a few more years in Dallas before calling it a career
And even in those few plays, he was much better than when he went to Dallas. He only had 16 carries while there. With the Giants he had a statistical anomaly. He had an equal amount of carries and receptions - 31 each.
I remember hearing that Dan Reeves didn't really seem to know how to use him on his offense
Did you ever see Barry Sanders?
Bo gets so much hype as a freak athlete but Herschel was right there with him. They were both in insanely fast at a similar weight. From what I read, Herschel actually ran better times in the 100m in college by a slight but clear amount. Not sure how much of that was technique vs. better long speed, probably a bit of both since Herschel seemed to be less of a complete natural than Bo physically. The workout warrior vs. natural comp can be seen in how both guys look physically today.
Their highlights were super close in terms of which was more impressive. I would go back and forth constantly watching those vids on whose running style impressed me more. I expected Bo to be a clear winner in terms of “wow factor” but it wasn’t the case, Herschel was just as amazing.
I forget but I think one thing I noticed was that Bo’s running style stood out a little more. Not sure if he took shorter steps or had more swivel but he looked more unique than Herschel. Both guys absolutely exploded off the LOS when handed the rock but there was a certain smoothness to Bo’s style that just looked weirder. His acceleration was insane.
When reading other forums on this subject, reading what smart BBIers said on this subject, and old articles; there seemed to be a bit of a consensus that while both were similar size/speed freaks that Bo had a little more agility/smoothness that set him a tiny bit apart.
It’s impossible to compare their college stats due to the vastly different offenses and roles they had. Jackson was in a wishbone whereas Walker was the deep back in the I formation at Georgia. Walker also carried a bigger load.
It’s close and really a toss up. If you watch those videos on YouTube I seriously doubt you would say one guy was clearly more amazing a runner. I think Bo was slightly more unique and naturally blessed all-around but Walker was right there with him and had the better overall college career.
Quote:
Both were before my time. The best college RB I've ever seen was Ricky Williams.
Did you ever see Barry Sanders?
Born in '80. He was drafted what, '89?
I am a few years older than you and was in my teens when Sanders was at Ok State. And to this day, I have never seen anything like him - college and pros.
Quote:
I know it's before my time and all but is there something I missed?
OJ was clearly better the either of them.
Whelp it's settled.
OJ is #3 on this list of three.
...
...
...
Bo
Walker
After college, Bo’s light shone brighter, but much more briefly. Walker’s USFL yardage means little. In the NFL, his most notable achievement was getting traded.
There are plenty of running backs over time that had Heisman Trophy type years, but talking about Ron Dayne and Herschel Walker in the same breath is like talking about Charlie Ward and John Elway…
All good BBB. I know you know your stuff...
HW was world class fast, but Bo was running sub-4.2 40s and made it a thing. Remember all the talk in the sports rags of him running a 4.12 ! My $ would've been on Bo in a sprint.
Don't tell UConn. He thinks SB is better than Jim Brown.
HW was world class fast, but Bo was running sub-4.2 40s and made it a thing. Remember all the talk in the sports rags of him running a 4.12 ! My $ would've been on Bo in a sprint.
You’re one of those people I meant in my earlier post when I mentioned receiving thoughts on this subject by smart BBIers. But I think you go a little overboard on calling Herschel a “robotic” athlete. His highlights blew my mind to an almost similar degree to Bo’s, I would agree that Bo was more fluid/agile but it really wasn’t by THAT much. Both guys were similar freaks.
Herschel ran a faster 100m in college at a very similar weight (no idea the actual weight of the two at the time). I do think Bo’s acceleration stood out a little bit more but that could be my preconceived bias of the two playing a role, also the stride length which I mentioned earlier and is hard to place. Both guys were CLEARLY faster than Saquon who we know is a freak.
I think there is something to be said about Bo being a natural who barely lifted but could lift like hell when he felt like it. Herschel was far more chiseled, dude remains a Greek God at 50. But Bo was a naturally lumberjack thick build who didn’t even need to try THAT hard to be arguably the best pure athlete any of us have seen.
It reminds me of the LT stories of him not even trying to workout hard because he wanted everyone to know he was just naturally better and there was nothing they could do about it. I think that mentality of “rawness” among great athletes will never be seen again. I think those guys had an added flexibility and agility that you will never see again in freakish elite muscle-bound athletes of the present/future. Herschel was more modern in that aspect, Bo was just raw greatness.
Plus, Bo had the additional opportunity to play professional baseball, thus affecting his college numbers and potential accolades.
The only thing I'm certain of is that Bo was an infinitely better athlete. But that's not the question at hand and shouldn't be a factor.
If Bo was more of a “natural” - and I agree he was - it may have been in part because he was much more physically mature.
I'd agree Bo was more natural and didn't really work at it like HW did. I'd still bet on Bo to win in a 40, 60, and 100, his acceleration and extra gear were hard to believe for a man his size. He had great hips, feet, was nimble, you felt like he could leap out of a gymnasium. Both were men amongst boys, fow HW it was apparent even at 18 when he was an amazing frosh.
As an aside, still remember when Bo hit that monster home run at the opening of the MLB All Star game years ago. It was epic.