Back to search

Rashaan Salaam

Running Back

Inducted 2022

Date of Birth

10/8/1974

Birthplace

San Diego, CA

School

University of Colorado (1992-1994)

Bio

The winner of the 1994 Heisman Trophy, Rashaan Salaam was just the fourth player in NCAA history to run for 2,000 yards in a season. The San Diego native is the ninth Colorado Buffalo inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Salaam was a unanimous First Team All-American in 1994 and claimed the Walter Camp and Doak Walker awards in addition to the Heisman Trophy. The 1994 Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year led the nation in rushing yards (2,055), scoring (144) and all-purpose yards (2,349), all while not playing in the fourth quarter in five games. Salaam led the 1994 Buffs to an 11-1 record and the No. 3 final ranking after a win over Notre Dame in the 1995 Fiesta Bowl. He led Colorado to two other bowl berths, including a win in the 1993 Aloha Bowl where he was named MVP, and two other top 20 finishes in 1992 (No. 13) and 1993 (No. 16). Salaam was a two-time First Team All-Big Eight selection, including unanimous recognition in 1994, and he led the Buffs to second place finishes in the conference all three seasons. He owned 18 school records, including many single-season marks for rushing yards (2,055), touchdowns (24), points (144) and all-purpose yards (2,349), all set during his 1994 Heisman campaign. That season, Salaam also set Colorado single-season records with 10 100-yard rushing games, four 200-yard rushing games and nine consecutive games with 100 yards rushing. He finished his career with 3,057 rushing yards, ranking fourth all-time at Colorado. During his time in Boulder, Salaam played for College Football Hall of Fame Coach Bill McCartney and alongside Hall of Famer Michael Westbrook. A member of both the CU Athletic and the State of Colorado Sports halls of fame, Salaam's No. 19 jersey was retired by the university in 2017. He died Dec. 5, 2016, at the age of 42.