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10 Greatest Auburn football NFL careers in school history

By Josh Yourish

Dec 16, 1990; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Raiders running back Bo Jackson (34) in action against the Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
Dec 16, 1990; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Raiders running back Bo Jackson (34) in action against the Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Nov 11,1988; Kansas City, MO, USA FILE PHOTO; Cincinnati Bengals running back James Brooks (21) runs the ball against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Andy Hawkins (59) at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11,1988; Kansas City, MO, USA FILE PHOTO; Cincinnati Bengals running back James Brooks (21) runs the ball against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Andy Hawkins (59) at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports /

56. . . . James Brooks (RB). 8. player

Auburn: 1977-80

NFL: 1981-92

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Accomplishments: 4x Pro Bowl

James Brooks was very productive in his four seasons at Auburn, finishing his career with 3,523 rushing yards and back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 1979 and 1980. So, the San Diego Chargers selected him in the first round of the 1981 NFL draft.

Brooks had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons as a pro, but his longevity was more impressive than any single season.

After three seasons in San Diego, Brooks spent eight years in Cincinnati and made four Pro Bowls as a member of the Bengals. He finished his career with 7,962 rushing yards and 95 total touchdowns.

Oct 25, 1981; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons running back William Andrews (31) carries the ball against the New York Giants at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 1981; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons running back William Andrews (31) carries the ball against the New York Giants at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports /

44. . . . William Andrews (FB). 7. player

Auburn: 1976-78

NFL: 1979-86

Teams: Atlanta Falcons

Accomplishments: 4x Pro Bowl, 1981 Second-team All-Pro

In 1978, Andrews’ final season at Auburn, he only ran for 369 yards in 11 games, but was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 1979 draft. He was immediately more productive in the NFL as a full-back than he was in the SEC as a running back.

Andrews ran for 1,023 yards as a rookie in 1971 with five total touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in each of the next five seasons and was second-team All-Pro in 1981 and 1982.

His best year was 1981 when he finished with 2,036 scrimmage yards which led the entire NFL.

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