Thurman Thomas led the Big Eight in rushing and scoring his sophomore year and again in 1987 as a senior, and was voted the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year both seasons.

While an injury kept him from playing as much his junior year, Thomas had 1,613 yards rushing his senior year and finished his career with the most rushing attempts in OSU history—898 times. He ran for 157 yards in the 1987 Sun Bowl, while his freshman teammate Barry Sanders rooted him on.

Drafted by the Buffalo Bills, Thomas helped lead his team to four straight Super Bowl appearances.

He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and is also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.