Kansas Football by the Numbers: 11-19 - 22 Days Until Kansas Football

Ranking the best KU football players to ever wear numbers 11 through 19.

As part of the 100 days leading up to the first kickoff for the Kansas football squad, we’re reaching the end of our series focusing on players from the past. We’ve already explored the greats who wore numbers from 20 to 99, so simply click here to get started and follow the links as needed.

For the newcomers, the idea is simple. Some statistics and anecdotes are provided for each player and then they are unscientifically ranked by a party of one (me) and the debate shall begin.

Today’s list spans over 80 years of Kansas football.

Otto Schnellbacher, #11, 1942, 1946-1947.

The “Double Treat from Sublette” was a two time All-Big 6 selection at tight end and is one of only three KU athletes to captain the basketball and football teams. Of course, being from a bygone era, it’s hard to know just how great he was, but considering that he took time off to serve his country in World War II, came back to continue to star at Kansas, and then play both pro football and baseball (triple threat?), I think we’d have to consider him one of the elite athletes of his era. Our first of four Ring of Honor inductees in today’s rankings.

Steven Sims, #11, 2015-2018.

At 2,582 yards receiving and 19 receiving touchdowns, Steven Sims is second on the all-time list at Kansas in both categories. He also holds the third best game in KU history when he hauled in 233 yards through the air in a game against K-State.

David Jaynes, #12, 1971-1973.

The Bonner Springs, Kansas native broke almost every KU passing record in the book in his three years as quarterback of the Jayhawks. His 5,132 yards stood as the record for ten years and still sits at number four on the all-time list. David Jaynes also has two of the top ten passing yardage seasons in KU history (1972, 1973). The second of four Ring of Honor members, Jaynes also finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1973.

James Holt, #12, 2006-2008.

Ten of James Holt’s career 12 sacks came in 2008. He also led the Big XII in tackles for a loss that season with 20.

Milt Garner, #16, 1984-1987.

It’s practically amazing that a player that so few have heard of ranks so high on a school’s all-time list. Milt Garner’s 11 interceptions are the third best in Kansas football history.

Gil Reich, #16, 1952.

Another two sport star, Gil Reich only played one season at Kansas, but that season was packed with accolades. He played quarterback, defensive back, and punt returner for the gridiron Jayhawks and was the starting point guard on the basketball team that went all the way to the NCAA title game. The third of four Ring of Honor members in today’s rankings.

Chris Harris, #16, 2007-2010.

After a solid KU career, Chris Harris is better known for what he accomplished in the NFL. He was a four time Pro Bowl selection, including in 2016 when he was All-Pro. He also helped the Denver Broncos capture Super Bowl 50. He is the fourth Ring of Honor member in the rankings today.

Wayne Zeigler, #18, 1983-1986.

The same thing that was written for Milt Garner could be said about Wayne Zeigler. Zeigler is tied for fourth all-time with ten career INTs. In fact, these two played three seasons together on the KU defense.

Curtis Moore, #19, 1986-1989.

Sixth all-time in tackles in KU history, Curtis Moore finished with 350 over his career on Mount Oread. His 25 tackles against Iowa State in 1988 is tied for the single best tackling performance in a game in Kansas history. He also had two other 22 tackle games, good for second best ever in a single game.

The Rankings:

1. Otto Schnellbacher
2. David Jaynes
3. Steven Sims and Gil Reich
4. Curtis Moore and Chris Harris
5. Milt Garner and Wayne Zeigler
6. James Holt

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