Northern Illinois University Athletics

An elusive three-time All-America running back, Garrett Wolfe established school records in career rushing yards (5,164) and rushing touchdowns (52). As a sophomore in 2004, Wolfe burst onto the scene with 1,656 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns to earn Honorable Mention All-America recognition from College Football News and CNN/Sports Illustrated. 

The following season, Wolfe tallied 1,580 yards – as well as the NCAA’s second-best per-game average of 175.6 rushing yards and 200.2 all-purpose yards – to once again earn Honorable Mention All-America accolades from College Football News. 

As a senior, along with his nation-leading 1,928 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, Wolfe broke his own single-game school record of 325 rushing yards (which he had set on November 20, 2004 at Eastern Michigan) when he rushed for 353 yards at Ball State on September 30, 2006. He was named an All-American by numerous outlets in 2006, including First Team honors from Playboy (preseason) and Third Team recognition from the Associated Press. 

The Chicago native finished 11th in the voting for the Heisman Trophy in 2006 and earned semifinalist recognition from the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards. A three-time First Team All-MAC honoree, Wolfe was named the conference’s Player of the Year in 2005 by the Columbus Touchdown Club and earned the Vern Smith Leadership Award as the MAC’s Most Valuable Player in 2006. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 2007 NFL Draft and played four seasons in the league.