KU Football by the Numbers: the Forties - 46 Days Until Kansas Football

We continue our series to discover the best Kansas football players to wear a jersey number in the forties.

© Rich Clarkson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

As part of the 100 days leading up to the first kickoff for Kansas football, we’re halfway through a series focusing on players from the past. We’ve already explored some greats who wore jersey numbers in the fifties and sixties, some big guys wearing numbers in the seventies, some prime time players with numbers in the eighties on their backs, and some heavy hitters in the nineties. Today, we delve into the forties.

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 listing is brief but packed with talent.

The Players:

Delvin Williams, #40, 1971-1973.

His 1,649 rushing yards are 19th on the all-time list at Kansas, but it’s what Delvin Williams did after leaving Lawrence that gets him on this list. He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Green Bay Packers from 1974-1981 and made the Pro Bowl twice. He rushed for 5,598 yards and 33 touchdowns in his NFL career.

Ray Evans, #42, 1941-42 and 1946-47.

The only Kansas player to be an All-American in football and basketball, and the only person to have his name in the Ring of Honor at Memorial Stadium and his number in the rafters at Allen Fieldhouse, Ray Evans is a true KU legend. He is the only player to lead the nation in passing and interceptions in the same season. In 1942, he snatched ten picks, still a Kansas record. His 17 total interceptions are also the highest mark in KU history.

Emmett Edwards, #47, 1972-1974.

Unknown to anyone but the most hardcore Kansas football fans, Emmett Edwards was a very productive player for the Jayhawks in the early 1970s. His 1,846 yards receiving is still the seventh best total in KU history. He led the Big 8 in receptions in 1973 and receiving yards in both 1973 and 1974.

Leroy Irvin, #47, 1976-1979.

Fifth on the all time KU charts in interceptions (10) and seventh on the all time tackles list (347), Leroy Irvin was a defensive masterclass. His best day was probably against Missouri in 1979 when he registered 21 tackles. He went on to have a long and fruitful career with the Los Angeles Rams, garnering all-Pro status in 1986.

Lonnie Phelps, #47, 2022.

After transferring from Miami (OH), Lonnie Phelps only had one season in Lawrence but that season was productive. He had 114 tackles (83 solo) and sacked the quarterback seven times.

Gale Sayers, #48, 1962-1964.

There’s really nothing that can be said about the Kansas Comet that hasn’t already been said, but many might not know that he was the first player in NCAA history to have a rushing touchdown of 99 yards. He led KU in rushing, touchdowns, and kick returns in each of his three seasons in Lawrence. His sparkling NFL career was cut short because of injuries, but nonetheless, Gale Sayers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as soon as he was eligible. At age 34, he remains the youngest player ever inducted in the Hall.

The Rankings:

1. Gale Sayers
2. Ray Evans
3. Leroy Irvin
4. Emmett Edwards
5. Delvin Williams
6. Lonnie Phelps 

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