Hunt chasing impressive list of rookie RBs

The Kareem Hunt express continues Oct. 2 in prime time.

It only seems fitting.

Hunt was one of the NFL’s brightest stars last month, as it was a September to remember for the Willoughby South grad. It began Week 1 against the Patriots, when Hunt amassed a rookie record 286 yards from scrimmage with three touchdowns in front of a national TV audience.

His next two games weren’t anything like his sensational debut, but were excellent performances nonetheless.

When September was over, he was named AFC Offensive Rookie of the Month.

Now, it’s time for the prime-time lights again Oct. 2 as the Chiefs host the Redskins on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.”

When Hunt plays, he’s must-watch because the rookie running back is on a roll reserved mostly for the game’s all-time greats.

He leads the NFL in rushing yards with 401, but more impressive is his average of 8.5 yards per attempt. As a receiver, he’s averaging 15.2 yards per catch.

If he keeps up his torrid pace, his stats would look like this: • RUSHING » 251 carries, 2,139 yards, 8.5 average, 21 touchdowns • RECEIVING » 48 catches, 731 yards, 15.2 average, 11 touchdowns

Let’s assume Hunt’s pace slows down a bit. But if he stays healthy, it’s not outlandish to think a record-setting rookie season that ranks among some of the best in NFL history for running backs is in the offing.

One season certainly doesn’t make an NFL career, but it doesn’t hurt.

Here’s one man’s top five best rookie running back seasons, plus one special mention: 1. ERIC DICKERSON, 1983, L.A. RAMS » The only knock against Dickerson’s rookie season was a whopping 13 fumbles. Save those mistakes, Dickerson’s first season was hands down the best ever. He set a rookie record with 1,808 rushing yards on 390 carries and scored 20 total touchdowns. Dickerson also had 51 catches for 404 yards. That’s 2,212 yards from scrimmage. 2. EZEKIEL ELLIOTT, 2016, COWBOYS » The former Buckeye just missed 2,000 yards from scrimmage as a rookie, as he finished with 1,994. Elliott led the NFL in rushing with 1,631 yards and scored 16 total touchdowns. 3. BARRY SANDERS, 1989, LIONS » Sanders was a firstteam All-Pro after rushing for 1,470 yards in 13 starts. He scored 14 touchdowns, and averaged 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. 4. EARL CAMPBELL, 1978 HOUSTON OILERS » Injuries caused Campbell to begin breaking down physically after four seasons, but his first was memorable. Campbell’s 1,450 rushing yards led the NFL, and he scored 13 touchdowns in 14 starts. 5. ADRIAN PETERSON, 2007, VIKINGS » Peterson played in 14 games as a rookie, and only started nine but he still averaged 95.8 yards per game — the third-highest mark of his career — and finished 2007 with 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns. SPECIAL MENTION: BO JACKSON, 1987, RAIDERS » Imagine a Major League Baseball player completing his season, then reporting to an NFL team and playing the second half of a season. That’s what Jackson did in 1987. His first game as a Los Angeles Raiders running back was Nov. 1 against the Patriots, and he gained 37 yards on eight carries. Three weeks later, he rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns against the Broncos, then had a game for the ages. Against the Seahawks in his fifth game, Jackson rushed for 221 yards on 18 carries with three total touchdowns. In seven games — and five starts — Jackson had 554 yards on 81 carries (6.8 average) and six total touchdowns.

Hunt’s incredible start is rare in one aspect: He was drafted in the third round.

The player aforementioned were all high firstround picks. Jackson and Campbell went No. 1 overall, Dickerson No. 2 overall, Sanders No. 3, Elliott 4th and Peterson No. 7 overall.

That doesn’t matter much now for Hunt, who’s on a record-setting pace.

Time will tell if he joins some of the NFL’s all-time greats — at least for a rookie season.

Mark Podolski