25 best Offensive Rookie of the Year winners ranked by playing career: 6. Earl Campbell – Houston Oilers
Earl Campbell had the greatest start to any career at any position in NFL history. Full stop. He led the league in rushing in all three seasons, and he led the league in rushing touchdowns in two of those three seasons. There was no weapon in the NFL who was better than Earl Campbell in 1978, 1979, and 1980.
That third season is one of the best rushing seasons we’ve ever seen. 1,934 yards, a league-leading 13 touchdowns, and also league-leading 5.2 yards per carry. Campbell was unstoppable this season. Teams could put eight men in the box, and Campbell would find a seam. He was literally impossible in 1980.
He had two more seasons after this with more than 1,300 yards rushing. Campbell’s height was something to behold, but it didn’t last as long as some. He didn’t get to 10,000 career rushing yards, because he was out of the league after eight seasons.
His peak was unlike anything we’ve seen, and the peak came immediately after college was over. Campbell came into the NFL ready to dominate the league. He did that and then some. This was a special career for those who were able to see it.