Allen Chat

This is classic!!

Yusuf Randolph, St. Louis, Mo. 03:34 PM ET

Who is the best running back to come out of USC?

Marcus Allen, NFL.com

All around, I think it would be me.

Greatest running back out of SC?-- It is debatable. Marcus might have a case for being the best all-around back (running, but also receiving and blocking). Recall, he started out as a fullback so the guy knew blocking.

But pure running is another story. The Heismans, Garrett, Simpson, White, Bush (and should have been Davis) were the best in their day for a reason. All had a style of their own, and all were pure beauty in motion!

You mean "the other Heismans" LJ. I think Marcus sealed his spot with the turn around touchdown run in the Super Bowl against the Redskins combined with his longevity and rebirth in KC. If Reggie plays for 12 years and has a majority of games like this past weekend's, he could eclipse Marcus. Big if.

I think the commentary was reserved for while at SC not what they did after SC. If so, I would rate them O.J., Reggie, A.D., Marcus, White and Garrett. Let us not forget that Simpson, Bush and Davis each won at least one national title.

No, I think Marcus was speaking about himself in the totality of his career, not just at USC. Remember, this was an NFL.com Q&A, not a college football Q&A.

And I'd have to agree with Marcus. At this point, only OJ could make a legitimate counter argument, and that dude's a cold blooded killer. Marcus Allen was so ridiculously good and had tremendous production to back it up (Heisman Trophy, most rushing yards in a single season, most 200 yard games, Super Bowl XVIII MVP, 1985 NFL MVP, first ballot Hall of Famer).

What Marcus did both in college and the NFL is unrivaled by all but OJ, but OJ's career was cut short by injuries and he was never the receiving threat that Marcus was. Marcus Allen (along with Roger Craig) revolutionized the position of running back into what we see these days with guys like Marshall Faulk (retired, I know), LaDanian Tomlinson, and Reggie Bush. Marcus was the original, and the reason I started watching SC games as a little feller.

Fight On!

Sureshot, nailed it. IMO, Marcus was the best. OJ was the best combo of size and speed, but Marcus had vision and grace. He wasn't a speedster, but found a way to glide through holes with precision and power. Not to mention his warrior-like leadership, blocking and pass catching. And, don't forget his occasional pass on the trick play as a former HS QB. Marcus Allen was the greatest all-around running back in the history of the game!