Comparing the Careers of Justice Hill and Barry Sanders

Justice Hill will catch Barry Sanders in total carries this weekend … and that’s about all he’ll catch him in. The junior is on the precipice of cementing himself as, statistically speaking, one of the all-time great running backs in Oklahoma State history.

I thought it would be fun to compare his numbers to Barry’s through roughly the same number of games and carries. Here’s a look at the Oklahoma State careers of Justice Hill and Barry Sanders.

Have we … underrated what Justice has done in Stillwater? Ignore the TDs — they’re often a function of luck, and I doubt Barry would be touching 47, much less 57, with OCs like Mike Yurcich and the depth of receiver OSU has had with Justice in the fold.

Obviously Barry is better than Justice, and the numbers generally reflect that (the +1.0 yards per touch is ?), but Justice has been kind of unbelievable during his 31 games for the Pokes.

It’s not absurd to assume that over his next seven carries, he’ll get within around 500 yards of Barry Sanders over the same number of games and carries. While Justice will never have that mythical 1988 season — 237 YPG, 43 total TDs and 7.6 YPC — the longevity of his career will likely push him past Barry’s career yardage total later this season (and even past Thurman Thomas’ if he stays long enough).

He probably doesn’t get as much of the spotlight as he should because we’re all so obsessed with (raises hand) Taylor Cornelius’ spin rates on 17-yard outs, but he’s been the foundation upon which this thing has stood for three straight years.

(and hopefully four).

(but I doubt it).