Who’s the best running back in Maryland football history?

It’s running back week at Testudo Times. Just as we did with quarterbacks last week, we’re taking a look at some of the best to ever play the position for Maryland.

Here are our nominees.

Ed Modzelewski

We’re actually starting the list with a fullback, but it’s more than warranted. Ed “Big Mo” Modzelewski earned both his nickname and spot in Terps history way back in 1951, during Maryland’s only undefeated season in modern football. Modzelewski was named Most Outstanding Player of the 1951 Sugar Bowl, as he ran all over Tennessee for 153 yards in the Terps’ upset win.

He earned a Second Team All-American nod for the season and was the No. 6 pick in the 1952 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was also a top-10 rusher when the Cleveland Browns won the NFL Championship in 1955. Modzelewski ranks third in Maryland’s record books in yards per carry , and is tied for eighth in rushing touchdowns.

Chet Hanulak

Hanulak was an top-fight rusher in his day, earning the nickname “The Jet.” He still sits atop Maryland’s all-time list, averaging 8.13 yards a touch over his three seasons. The Terps were named the 1953 National Champions—still the school’s lone football title—his senior season. Hanulak set the Atlantic Coast Conference’s single season record for yards per carry that same season with 9.78 yards a touch, a record that still stands.

Charlie Wysocki

Wysocki accomplished plenty from 1978-81, becoming a two-time First Team All-American. He’s second in program history in rushing yards and tied for fourth in career touchdowns. He’s the only Maryland player to ever rush 50 times in one game, and the only Terp to ever rush for over 200 yards in back-to-back games. He has three such games all-time, another program record, and is second—to the next player on this list—in all-time 100-plus-yard games with 17.

LaMont Jordan

Jordan’s at the top of most of the rushing categories for the Terps. He’s No. 1 in career yards, single-season yards, most rushing yards in a game, and touchdowns in a season. Though tied with Wysocki for most games in a season with over 200 yards, he has the most games in program history of over 100 yards. Also, he’s second in program history in all-time rushing touchdowns and ninth in yards per carry. He made three all-ACC teams and was a second team All-American in 1999. Jordan was a second-round pick by the New York Jets in 2001, and went on to play eight NFL seasons for four teams.

Honorable mentions: Bruce Perry, Lance Ball, Keon Lattimore, Da’Rel Scott, C.J. Brown, Brandon Ross