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Illinois Football: Top 5 Illini running backs of the 2010s

By Jalen Wilson

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 06: Mikel Leshoure of the Illinios Fighting Illini scores a triple overtime touchdown while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 67-65. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 06: Mikel Leshoure of the Illinios Fighting Illini scores a triple overtime touchdown while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 67-65. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 29: Jason Ford #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the game on October 29, 2011 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The PSU won 10-7. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 29: Jason Ford #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the game on October 29, 2011 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The PSU won 10-7. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

4. Jason Ford

A running back that some Illinois football fans forget about is Jason Ford. He spent all four years at Illinois with only two of those years coming in the 2010s. He was mainly a bruising running back who was in a backup role.

The first year of Ford’s career in the 2010s went well. He served as a backup for Mikel Leshoure but gave consistent production. Ford rushed for 480 yards and 7 touchdowns on 99 total carries.

In the passing game, Ford didn’t make much of an impact. He only caught 7 passes for 52 yards that season. He did help Illinois get to the Texas Bowl, where the Illini would win with Ford rushing for 54 yards and catching 3 passes for 29 yards.

The last year of Ford’s Illini career was great. He was the starting running back and put up career highs in all statistical categories. Ford averaged 3.9 yards per carry while rushing for 600 yards and 7 touchdowns on 155 carries.

As a senior, Ford’s pass-catching numbers went up. He caught 19 passes for 130 yards. Illinois got to the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl with the help of Ford, but he couldn’t play in the bowl game due to academics. Illinois went on to beat UCLA in that game.

Ford, overall, was a good running back. He gave Illinois consistent production, and if he would’ve played more years, he could’ve been higher on this list.

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