Alabama Football: Crimson Tide Top 10 All-Time Rushers
By Ronald Evans
No. 10 Johnny Musso (1969, 1970, 1971)
- Career Rushing – 2,741 yards on 574 carries
- Career Yards-Per-Carry average of 4.8 yards.
- 1971 All-American and SEC Player of the Year
As he is known by longtime Crimson Tide fans, the Italian Stallion was one of Alabama’s most remarkable running backs ever. Johnny Musso played only three Crimson Tide seasons because in 1969 freshmen could not play on varsity teams.
Musso’s first two varsity seasons were depressing years for Alabama Football. Bear Bryant’s 1969 and 1970 teams were his last before the legendary coach switched to the wishbone. The Crimson Tide finished 6-5 in both seasons. In a weak offense, Musso still gained 1,653 as a Crimson Tide sophomore and junior.
When Bryant flipped the switch to the ‘Bone’ there was no player better suited for the change than Johnny Musso. Alabama only threw the football 84 times in the 1971 season. The Crimson Tide rushed for an average of over 324 yards in 1971 games. Alabama gobbled up clock with long wishbone drives, and by design, the offense featured multiple ball carriers. In addition to Musso, four Crimson Tide runners totaled 401 carries. Though Musso was the feature back he had only 191 rushing attempts his senior season.
Musso played in the CFL and in the NFL for the Chicago Bears. In 2000 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.