By Darin Rueben Mayes electrifies the gridiron with an explosive running style that shattered the Washington State record books. Hailing from Saskatchewan, the dynamic back traveled south to pull on the crimson and gray, instantly transforming the Cougars into a must-watch offense. Mayes combined track-star speed with bruising power, shredding historic Pac-10 defenses and orchestrating one of the most legendary single-game rushing performances in NCAA history. Read on to discover how this trailblazing runner sprinted his way from western Canada straight into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Football Bio
June 6, 1963 – North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada – Reuben Mayes, the fantastic Washington State running back from 1982 to 1985, was born.
The FootballFoundation.org shares that Mayes rewrote darn near every Cougar rushing record during his career! Reuben goes down as one of the greatest running backs in Pac-10 history.
By career’s end, the 1984 consensus First Team All-America set 15 school records, including single-season (1,632) and career rushing yards (3,519), rushing touchdowns (23), rushing average (5.53) and 100-yard games (13).
Additionally, he established an NCAA Division I single-game record with a 357-yard rushing performance against Oregon in 1984. Reuben Mayes was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 after the National Football Foundation tabulated their votes.
Conclusion
Rueben Mayes anchors his place in college football history by combining physical resilience with unparalleled big-play capability. He sets a standard of excellence for every running back who enters the Palouse, proving that world-class talent knows no geographic borders. By translating his collegiate dominance into immediate success at the professional level, Mayes solidified his reputation as a premier playmaker of his era. Today, his 2008 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame cements his legacy as the ultimate gold standard for Washington State football.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in the class of 2008.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: Earned unanimous honors for his dominant 1984 season.
- 2× Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year: Captured the conference’s top offensive crown in consecutive years (1984, 1985).
- NCAA Single-Game Rushing Record Holder: Set the FBS milestone with a 357-yard rushing explosion against Oregon in 1984.
- Washington State School Record Setter: Established 15 distinct program records, including career rushing yards (3,519) and single-season rushing yards (1,632).
- Heisman Trophy Finalist: Finished 10th in the national balloting for the 1984 Heisman Trophy.
- AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Won the league’s top rookie honor in 1986 after racking up 1,353 yards for the New Orleans Saints.
- 2× NFL Pro Bowl Selection: Selected to represent the NFC in back-to-back seasons (1986, 1987).
- First 1,000-Yard Cougar: Built a legacy as the first player in Washington State history to log multiple 1,000-yard rushing campaigns.
- New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame: Inducted for his high-impact professional production in the backfield.