Top Troy Running Back Fan Poll Results

Let’s take a look at how the top running backs in Troy History shook out. For starters, the initial list was very difficult for me to put together as we have had numerous fantastic backs in our 110 year history. The votes ended up as tight knit as my ranking with many ties throughout the poll.

 

I attempted to reach out to our top vote getters, but did not get a response from all as of the time the article was published. I will update it if and when others respond to my interview requests.

Previous Polls – QB

The Rest

#16) Ron Daniels – 0 votes (0%)

#12) 1 vote each (2.4%) – Bill Ragle, Sullivan Walker, Boyd Grant, Phillip Jones

#11) LeBarron Black – 5 votes (11.9%)

#10) Joe Jackson – 6 votes (14.3%)

#9) Arrid Gregory – 9 votes (21.4%)

#7) 13 votes (31%) – Demontray Carter and Kenny Cattouse

 

The Best 

#4) 18 votes (42.9%) – 

Ted Horstead

A power back who helped to lead the Trojans to the 1984 National Championship, Ted Horstead was the perfect back. The Elba native offered a steady back for the heavy wishbone attack. 

Unlike most backs on this list, Horstead’s Troy career started with him as a walk-on. He earned his spot by playing tough on the field. “When I walked on at Troy, I just wanted to keep playing football.” And play Horstead did, recording Troy’s first 1,000 yard season during the 1984 Championship campaign. 

When asked about his favorite memory of his time at Troy, Horstead recounted what it felt like to play in his first college game. “[We were playing] against Tuskegee (1983) in Cramton Bowl. I was like, ‘All the hard work has paid off and I was a college football player.” Just looking up in the stands, seeing the crowd and smiling.”

I asked Horstead about the impact Troy left on him and he mentioned that while he didn’t have the same resources as scholarship players, He never lacked for anything during his time at Troy. “Now I feel I am one of the biggest ambassadors for the University and encourage everyone I come into contact with, that is considering college, to consider Troy because of all the positive experiences I had during my time there.”

Horstead stated that he was forever grateful for the time he spent at Troy “from the first day I stepped on campus til this day.” Horstead’s story should serve as an inspiration to everyone for what people can do when they put their minds to it and work hard.

Shawn Southward

Shawn Southward is probably the most underrated of the running backs on this list. He turned in great seasons all four years of his Troy career. He saved his best work for his senior season, a 1,000 yard effort averaging 84 yards per game. 

Southward said one of his favorite memories was going to play at The Swamp in his freshman year (2009). At the time, Southward was a backup behind DuJuan Harris and got 27 yards on 3 carries against the then-#1 Florida Gators and Tim Tebow. 

Southward stated that he hopes fans remember him as a player who “came to work hard everyday with a positive attitude with a smile on my face.” As for what impact Troy left on him, Southward believes “Troy took me from being a boy to being a man. It instilled a lot of morals that I use today.”

When asked about his inclusion in this list, Southward said it was an honor to be included. “Troy fans have always been the best and I’m very thankful and humbled to be acknowledged as one of the best.”

Brandon Burks 

While Brandon Burks endured the lean years of the early 2010s, he was still a successful back who stands as one of only ten backs in Troy history to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark in a season (1,005 in 2015).  I don’t think it would be much of a stretch to say that Burks was the perfect transition back during the Blakeney-Brown switch. 

His success in 2015 proved that, despite a 4-8 mark, Brown’s offense could be successful in Troy. This is evidenced by Brown producing 3 1,000 yard rushers in his 4 years and Burks was Troy’s first since 2012.

#2) 32 votes (76.2%) 

DeWhitt Betterson

DeWhitt Betterson was one of Troy’s first star backs in the FBS era. His career started in 2001, the first year of FBS and ended in 2004. While the level of competition for the Trojans jumped sharply, Betterson didn’t let it faze him. His 2003 and 2004 seasons were both 1,000 yard efforts, leading to him becoming the only Trojan to have 2 1,000 yard seasons.

Speaking of 2004, Betterson was quick to point out one memory of his time at Troy: the Junior Louissaint play. He added, “Most people don’t know Junior was my roommate at the time. I was just looking out for a friend. All jokes aside, that play is one I could never forget. Junior was a beast.”

Of his time at Troy, Betterson said, “Troy has grown and on any given Saturday, we can beat anybody! We played for [Coach Larry] Blakeney and he demanded respect. Our success was a reflection upon him. Watching our program and the respect that we get is the legacy I’m most proud of.”

I asked Betterson about how he felt to be included among these great backs. He said he felt honored and grateful, but quickly demurred to his teammates. “If I am recognized, then my teammates also have to be recognized. No matter how hard I tried, I’d have never been as successful without them.

DuJuan Harris

The Trojan tailback trotted his way into the record books during his time in Troy on 4 Sun Belt Championship teams. As with most of the running backs on this list, DuJuan Harris is a member of the 1,000 yard rushing club. 

Harris proved to be a versatile back in his time wearing the Cardinal and Black, serving under 3 different offensive coordinators. He seemed to, like Burks, Harris, and BJ Smith after him, flourish under Neal Brown’s tutelage. His 1,000 yard season came in Brown’s first season at the offensive helm.

#1) Jordan Chunn – 42 votes (100%)

Save for DeWhitt Betterson, no one comes close to Jordan Chunn’s success on the gridiron for the Trojans. The all-time Touchdowns leader found ways to help Troy become successful again. Chunn gained over 500 yards in Blakeney’s last two years (2013 and 2014), but he redshirted in Brown’s first year of 2015. He was all the better for it, gaining a 1,000 yard season in 2016 and another 700 in 2017. 

Those last two season saw Chunn helping the Trojans to two bowl wins and their sixth Sun Belt Championship. Chunn also played a part in almost upsetting #2 Clemson in 2016 and his performance in the 2017 game with LSU helped to propel the Trojans to victory. 

Overall, Chunn will forever be remembered as the best back in Troy history, especially in this poll. He was the only player who received a vote from every voter. 

 

Check back later this week for a look at the best Troy Tight Ends. As always, leave a comment and follow me on @BenOnSports.