Louisville football: The 50 greatest Cardinals of all time

Before Lamar Jackson, one man held the single-season rushing record at U of L for 45 years. Howard Stevens.

The tiny running back out of Harrisburg, Virginia is one of the smallest players to ever put on a Louisville football uniform, but he was also one of the most electric.

After an All-American season at Randolph-Macon College, Stevens wound up transferring to Louisville for his final two seasons. He became one of the best players in school history in a short timeframe.

In only two years, Stevens racked up 2,723 yards rushing, which ranks fifth in school history and second over a two-year period. Stevens also rushed for 25 touchdowns, which is good for eighth place on the all-time rushing touchdowns list.

Though his squads in 1971 and 1972 were not very good, Stevens was a must-see player who gave Cardinals fans hope for a future of high-caliber running backs.

As one of the smallest players in the country at only 5-foot-5, Stevens needed a solid final year to have any chance at playing professional football. He did exactly that, racking up the best rushing season in school history. Stevens then went on to be selected in the 16th round of the 1973 NFL Draft.

Stevens went on to become one of the most prolific punt return and kick-off specialists in the league. He led the NFL in return yardage in 1974 during his sophomore campaign with the New Orleans Saints.

Like many on this list, Stevens wasn’t with the program for the full four years, but he made his time in Louisville count.