Hall of Fame
Regarded as premier LB in Northern Illinois' early major-college tenure. Selected on All-Time Huskie Stadium (1995) and All-Century (1999) squads. Tabbed "Smartest Player" in The Best of Huskie Stadium's Best (1995). Picked in fifth round of 1973 NFL draft by Pittsburgh Steelers (128th player selected), plus signed free agent contracts with Chicago Bears (1973) and New England Patriots (1974). Named on First-Team Gridiron All-Midwest squad with Dave Butz (Purdue), Randy Gradishar (Ohio State), Bob Thomas (Notre Dame), Brad Van Pelt (Michigan State), John Hicks (Ohio State), Tom Clements (Notre Dame), Otis Armstrong (Purdue), Rufus Ferguson (Wisconsin), plus All-Century and Hall of Fame teammate Mark Kellar (Northern Illinois). Ranked No. 3 on all-time Huskie hit list with 446 career tackles. Set school (then) marks for most single-game tackles (29 vs. Fresno State in 1972), single-season stops (189 in 1972), career hits, and longest interception return TD (88 yards vs. Long Beach State in 1972). Led Huskies in tackles for three straight years (137 in 1970, 120 in 1971, and 189 in 1972). Recorded one of greatest plays of The First Century with 88-yard pass theft TD that sealed 22-13 win vs. LBSU at Anaheim Stadium and guaranteed school's first winning 1-A season (7-4 in 1972). Voted two-time defensive MVP (1971-72), team Outstanding DB (1971), and team co-captain (1972). Blocked seven kicks in final two years. Three-sport man at Winnebago High and won Little All-State honors on gridiron as senior.
