Monday Night Football College Spotlight: LaDainian Tomlinson

Every Monday night, I’ll be highlighting one of the game’s players’ college careers, so stop back every week to check out some “back in the day” stats about current NFL players. For more in NFL football news, check out b5’s Every Morning Quarterback.

Tonight’s Spotlight: LaDainian Tomlinson

Current Team, Number, Position: San Diego Chargers, 21, Running Back

Current Stats: Since being drafted into the NFL, he 115 touchdowns and about 10,800 rushing yards

College: TCU

Draft: Round 1, Pick #5 in 2001

College Highlights: In high school, Tomlinson played defense until his senior year, so he was not considered one of the nation’s top running back recruits. He signed with TCU, which was then a part of the WAC.

There, he really grew into his running back roll. In 1998, he played against USC in the Sun Bowl, and TCU won their first bowl game in 41 years. As a junior, he set an NCAA record for yards in a single game (408 against UTEP), and was the NCAA leading rusher with 1,850 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Things only got better his senior year. He was a finalist for the Heisman, and won the Doak Walker award, as well as was named the Senior Bowl MVP. He lead the NCAA with over 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns. In 2005, TCU retired his jersey number.

Something of note: Although Tomlinson could very well retire tomorrow and live a financially secure life, in December of 2005, he fulfilled a promise to his mother and finished his degree. Tomlinson holds a BA in Communications. 

Pictures via Newscom.