f i r st t e a m a l l-a m e r i c a n s Ray Evans • QB/RB/DB 1947 All-American
Ray Evans, KU’s first All-America selection (along with Otto Schnellbacher), qualifies as one of the greatest athletes in Kansas history. Evans is the only player in NCAA history to lead the nation in both passing (1,117 yards) and interceptions (10) in the same season (1942). His single-season interception mark, in fact, still remains a KU record. In addition to being an All-American in football, Evans was also a two-time selection as a Helms Foundation basketball All-American for head coach Phog Allen. He is the only athlete in KU history to have both his football jersey number (42) and basketball jersey (15) retired. Evans was a key performer in helping the Jayhawks to an 8-1-2 record, a first-place tie in the Big Six Conference and a spot in the 1948 Orange Bowl his senior season. Evans once owned the NCAA record of consecutive passing attempts (60) without an interception. He played professionally for one season with Pittsburgh.
Otto Schnellbacher • WR 1947 All-American
Known as the “Double Threat from Sublette,” Otto Schnellbacher excelled during his days as an athlete at Kansas in both football and basketball. Schnellbacher served as a team co-captain of the 1947 Jayhawk team that won a share of the conference title and earned a spot in the Orange Bowl. He is one of just three KU athletes to serve as a captain in both football and basketball. A two-time All-Big Six selection, Schnellbacher was credited with 58 career pass receptions for 1,069 yards and both marks stood as school records for 22 years. He averaged 18.4 yards per reception. Schnellbacher was a regular in 1942 and had his career put on hold during World War II. A four-time all-conference selection in basketball, Schnellbacher played both football and basketball professionally. He played football for four seasons with the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference and the New York Giants of the NFL. He intercepted 34 passes and was named All-Pro defensive back three times before retiring after the 1951 season.
George Mrkonic • OT/DT/P 1951 All-American
George Mrkonic teamed with Oliver Spencer to anchor one of the great lines in Kansas football history during the early 1950s. Mrkonic, a two-time (1950-51) all-conference selection, played left guard on offense and defensive tackle. Mrkonic also handled punting duties during his KU career and led the Jayhawks in punting statistics in 1951. During his three years in the lineup, Kansas compiled a combined 21-9 record, including an 8-2 mark in 1951 and 7-3 record in 1952. Mrkonic was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game in 1952 and had a brief stint in professional football as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. He also played one season in the Canadian Football League.
Gil Reich • QB/HB/DB 1952 All-American
Although he played just one season at Kansas after transferring from the United States Military Academy, Gil Reich quickly established himself as one of the most determined performers in Jayhawk history. He was a standout as a cornerback, excelling in run support and as a punt returner. Reich earned all-conference and All-America honors for his performance as a defensive back. In addition, Reich split time as the starting quarterback with Jerry Robertson. He accounted for 428 yards in total offense and was credited with five touchdown passes. He averaged 17.2 yards on 19 punt returns and also served as the Jayhawks’ punter and kicked extra points. Reich was also a two-sport standout, playing a significant role on the Jayhawks’ 1952-53 basketball team. As a starting guard, Reich helped direct the Jayhawks to the 1953 National Championship game -- a 69-68 loss to Indiana.
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Oliver Spencer • OT 1952 All-American
A dominating blocker and outstanding athlete, Spencer and teammate George Mrkonic were recognized as two of college football’s premier linemen during the early 1950s. Spencer excelled at right offensive tackle, helping the Jayhawks to a combined 15-5 mark during his two seasons as a regular on the offensive front. As a sophomore, Spencer was a backup at KU behind future pro football hall of famer Mike McCormack. Following his senior season, Spencer was selected to play in both the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl. He played in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers from 1953-61, and served as an offensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders for 19 seasons (1962-79).
John Hadl • QB/HB/P/DB 1960-61 All-American
John Hadl easily represents one of the greatest all-around performers in Kansas history. The Jayhawks’ first two-time All-America selection, Hadl excelled in the Jayhawk offense as a quarterback and part-time halfback. He was also a highly effective defensive back, return specialist and one of the nation’s top punters during his three-year career. His jersey No. 21 is one of just three retired in Kansas football history. A three-time all-conference selection, Hadl ended his career with 1,281 yards passing and 1,016 yards rushing. He still holds the school record for longest punt (94 yards vs. Oklahoma in 1959, third-longest in NCAA history) and has the third-longest interception return (98 yards vs. TCU in 1959). Hadl, who led the nation in punting in 1959 with a 45.6 average, was a standout on some of KU’s great teams. The Jayhawks were a combined 14-5-2 his junior and senior seasons with Hadl at the controls and ranked nationally in the top 20 each season. He concluded his senior season by leading KU to a 33-7 win over Rice in the Bluebonnet Bowl. Hadl was named most valuable player in the East-West Shrine game and the College All-Star Game. Hadl enjoyed a 16-year career in the NFL, passing for 33,513 yards. He was recognized as the NFL Man of the Year in 1971 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994. Following a successful career in coaching, Hadl moved into administration and currently serves as an associate athletics director at his alma mater.
Gale Sayers • RB
1963-64 All-American
Gale Sayers, the “Kansas Comet,” established himself throughout his collegiate and professional career as one of the great running backs in the history of football. A two-time All-America selection for the Jayhawks, Sayers concluded his KU career with 2,675 yards rushing and 3,917 all-purpose yards. Sayers led KU in rushing, touchdowns and kickoff returns all three years he was in the lineup. He also led the team in receiving and punt returns as a junior and senior. Sayers became the first player in NCAA Division IA history to record a 99-yard run when he broke loose against Nebraska in Lincoln during the 1963 season. He also had a 96-yard kickoff return in a 15-14 upset of Oklahoma his senior season. Sayers was a first round draft pick of the Chicago Bears (and Kansas City Chiefs) and had an abbreviated seven-year NFL career that was cut short by a knee injury. He led the league in rushing in 1966 and 1969. He retired in 1972 with a career total of 4,956 rushing yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 at age 34, the youngest person ever selected. He served as an assistant athletics director at his alma mater from 1972-76.