SALT LAKE CITY – What a rush.

Running back Devontae Booker gives Utah football fans something to look forward to every game.

In the last 10 games of the 2014 season, the 5-foot-11 California native averaged 133.3 yards per game. His 1,512 yards on 292 carries ranked 20th in the nation. He ran for a Pac-12 best 815 yards after contact, nearly 200 more than his closest competitor. Ten touchdowns put him in the conference's top five for scores from scrimmage. He also played a key role in Utah's passing game, tying for second on the team with 43 receptions.

Booker's breakout season with Utah almost sent him to the 2015 NFL draft. Scouts saw him as a late-third to fifth-round pick, comparing him to Houston Texans back Arian Foster. But after talking to his family, friends and coaches, Booker decided to stay with the Utes for his senior season.

It's looking like a good decision, considering his draft stock is rising. Mock 2016 drafts list him as a first to early second-round pick.

"We believe we have one of the best running backs in the country," said Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.

And a lot of people agree. Booker, who transferred to Utah from Sacramento, California's American River College, heads into his senior season on three preseason watch lists. They include the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award; the Maxwell Award, honoring America's College Player of the Year; and the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation's top college running back.

To top it off, he's a Heisman Trophy contender — the first Ute since Alex Smith was listed as a 2004 Heisman candidate.

There's no doubt Booker is one of the best running backs in the Utes' history. But how does he compare to other great Utah running backs?

Carl Monroe (1981-82)

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Monroe set Utah's record for most 200-yard games in a season and career, having two. Only nine players in the program have ever achieved the feat of rushing for 200 yards in a game, including Booker. The current Ute scored three touchdowns and ran for 229 yards against Oregon State, helping defeat the Beavers 29-23 in two overtimes. His next best game came in a 28-27 loss against Washington State when he ran for 178 yards.

Booker had seven 100-yard games in 2014. Remember, he was not the featured back in the first three games. Five of Bookers' seven 100-yard rushing games in 2014 came consecutively against Pac-12 rivals. The record for most consecutive 100-yard games in a season is six, belonging to Monroe.

Additionally, Monroe reigns as the school's leader in rushing yards per game (137 yards) and all-purpose yards in a season (2,036). Booker is fifth in rushing yards per game, averaging 116.31, and his 1,875 all-purpose yards rank third.

Jamal Anderson (1992-93)

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Booker surpasses Anderson many times in the Utes' record books. The Heisman candidate ranks fifth in school history for most carries in a game, Anderson tying for 10th. Booker had a career high 37 carries against Arizona, whereas Anderson's career high was 32 in 1993 versus BYU. Booker also has one more career 100-yard game than Anderson, who had six in 1993.

Last season, Booker had two games in the top six of school history for most all-purpose plays in a game — 39 against Arizona State and 36 against UCLA. The most all-purpose plays in a game by Anderson was 35 in 1993 versus BYU.

Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (1995-97)

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The First-Team All-WAC running back has Utah's third most net yards in a game, earning 236 against UTEP in 1996. Booker's 229 yards versus Oregon State ties for fifth. Fuamatu-Ma'afala scored 22 touchdowns during his time with the Utes, something that Booker, who had 10 touchdowns in 2014, can do if he performs as expected in the upcoming season.

John White IV (2011-12)

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Last year, Booker almost set the school record for most rushing yards in a single season, falling a mere seven yards short. In 2011, his first season as a Ute, White set the program's single-season rushing record (1,519 yards). The Wolfman had 14 career 100-yard games, eight coming in 2011. The Utes went 12-2 when White rushed for more than 100 yards.

The 2011 Sun Bowl MVP also holds the program's record for most rushing touchdowns in a single season with 15. Booker was five scores short of the record last season. Not to mention, White holds the record for most carries in a season with 316. Booker is third with 292 carries and will probably get more this year. If he stays healthy, and with a proven offensive line, Booker should have a good chance to break White's single season rushing attempts and touchdown records.

Professional careers

Monroe went on to play five years (1983-87) in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, becoming a Super Bowl champion. He transitioned from back to receiver, averaging 11.5 yards on 28 career receptions. His NFL career highlight came in Super Bowl XIX, catching a 33-yard pass for a touchdown.

The Atlanta Falcons drafted Anderson in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL draft. He became one of the best running backs in the league throughout his eight-year career (1994-2001). He rushed for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, finishing his career with 5,336 total yards. In his 1,329 attempts, Anderson scored 34 touchdowns. He suffered a career-ending injury in 2001, tearing his ACL two years after appearing in Super Bowl XXXIII.

Fuamatu-Ma'afala entered the NFL draft after his junior season and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played for them for five seasons (1998-2002) before being released, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars three days later. His career ended in 2004 with 227 carries for 964 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 351 yards from 43 receptions, including two scores.

White is currently playing in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos, but will miss the 2015 season due to a ruptured left Achilles tendon. He was expected to be the team's starting running back after rushing for 852 yards in nine games last season.

Following this year, Booker will follow these former Utes into what is hopefully a successful NFL career. But will he set any school records for the Utes in 2015? Will he lead the team to the South Division title? Or even the Rose Bowl? Share your comments.

Holli Joyce is a University of Utah communications graduate and enjoys keeping up with the Utah Utes, Utah Jazz and Seattle Seahawks. In addition to covering Utah football for KSL.com, she is a Seahawks Correspondent for 12thManRising.com. Follow her on Twitter @Holli_Alexa.

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