Kansas Football by the Numbers: 20-28 - 28 Days Until Kansas Football

We rank the best players to wear jersey numbers between 20 and 28.

As part of the 100 days leading up to the first kickoff for Kansas football in 2023, we’re nearing the business end of our series focusing on players from the past. In this article and the ones that follow, you’re going to see many familiar names. We’ve already explored the greats who wore numbers from 29 to 99, click any or all of these links to get caught up.

Numbers 29-39

Numbers 40-49

Numbers 50-69

Numbers 70-79

Numbers 80-89

Numbers 90-99

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 features players from both sides of the line of scrimmage, from recent stars to all-time KU legends.

June Henley, #20, 1993-1996.

The all-time leader at Kansas in rushing yards (3,841) and rushing touchdowns (41) as well as rushing TDs in a single season (17), June Henley was a great player on the field. Off the field, he leaves a lot to be desired. In 2005, he was arrested and convicted of aggravated robbery and spent significant time in prison. He’s out now and has hopefully reformed his life.

John Hadl, #21, 1959-1961.

The first ever two time All-American, simply put, John Hadl is a Kansas legend. He was a three time all-league selection, played quarterback, running back, defensive back, and punter for the Jayhawks. He has the longest interception return in KU history at 98 yards and the longest punt in school history at 94. He played QB in the AFL/NFL for 16 years with the Chargers, Rams, Packers, and Oilers. He is a member of the Football Foundation College Hall of Fame and the Chargers Hall of Fame.

LT Levine, #22, 1992-1995.

Kansas was ripe with running backs from the late eighties until the turn of the century. Add LT Levine to that list. Tenth all-time on the KU charts in rushing yards (2,248) and seventh on the TD list with 21, LT Levine is definitely an underrated all-timer at Kansas.

David Winbush, #22, 1997-2000.

Arriving the season after June Henley left, David Winbush immediately picked up where his predecessor left off (running the ball that is, not the bad stuff). Eighth on the all-time KU rushing list in yards (2,608) and sixth in touchdowns on the ground (22), the diminutive star had a game for the ages in 1998 when he rushed for 268 yards against the Colorado Buffaloes.

Tony Sands, #24, 1988-1991.

This man is rightfully being inducted into the Kansas Ring of Honor this season, and will probably go down as one of the great guys in KU history as well. Of course, Tony Sands is most well known for his Herculean effort against rival Missouri when he rushed for 396 yards, an NCAA record at the time, and four touchdowns. He stands second and third on the all-time KU rushing lists for yardage (3,788) and touchdowns (28) respectively.

Bradley McDougald, #24, 2009-2102.

Playing his first two seasons on the offensive side of the ball, Bradley McDougald was pretty effective, racking up 52 catches for 558 yards and a touchdown. Add in his 18.9 yard average on 35 kick returns and you had the making of a good offensive player. But he then converted to a defensive back full time in his junior year, totalling 203 tackles and seven interceptions. He went on to play nine seasons in the NFL with various teams and totaled 10 INTs in his time as a pro.

Rick Bredesen, #25, 1984-1987.

The fourth best tackler by the numbers in Kansas history with 403, many current KU fans probably don’t know the name Rick Bredesen. Now you do.

Bruce Adams, #25, 1972-1974.

Ninety catches over three years, 1,511 yards receiving, and 17 career touchdowns (fourth all-time at KU) is a pretty good stat line. Add in an appearance in the 1973 Liberty Bowl, and Bruce Adams had a pretty good KU career.

Eric Vann, #25, 1994-1997.

I was there when Eric Vann broke off a 99 yard run against the Oklahoma Sooners through wide open astroturf for the longest touchdown in college football history. It was his most significant play in a Jayhawks uniform and it gets him on this list.

Darrell Stuckey, #25, 2006-2009.

A member of the Ring of Honor at Memorial Stadium, Darrell Stuckey had a nice career at KU. He is tied for seventh on the all time interceptions list with eight, and the KCK native went on to play for the San Diego Chargers for seven seasons in the NFL.

The Rankings:

1. John Hadl
2. Tony Sands
3. June Henley
4. David Winbush
5. LT Levine, Darrell Stuckey, and Bradley McDougald
6. Bruce Adams
7. Rick Bredesen
8. Eric Vann

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