Kansas football: Few Jayhawks have contended for the Heisman trophy
Kansas football has only seen three Jayhawks receive Heisman votes. Here are those three in addition to one other big-time playmaker.
Despite the less than impressive history of Kansas football, the Jayhawks have had some pretty great players, three of which received Heisman votes. Quarterbacks John Hadl, Bobby Douglass, and David Jaynes were all in contention for the prestigious award.
Despite not receiving any votes, Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing holds virtually every record for QBs at Kansas, including touchdown passes and passing yards at Kansas.
Reesing’s best season came in 2007 when he threw for 33 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and 3,486 yards. Reesing also picked up three touchdowns with his legs in 2007 on his way to an Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech.
The Heisman candidates for that crazy 2007 season included Tim Tebow, Darren McFadden, Jr., Colt Brennan, Chase Daniel Jr., and Dennis Dixon, and unfortunately, Reesing didn’t make the cut.
In 1961, Lawrence native John Hadl finished seventh in Heisman voting. Hadl led the Jayhawks to a 7-3-1 record including a win over No. 17 Rice in the Bluebonnet Bowl with both his legs and his arm. He rushed for over 300 yards and six touchdowns on the ground while throwing for another seven touchdowns through the air.
Hadl went on to a successful pro career that spanned 15 seasons and included an AFL championship.
In 1968, Kansas would see its second Heisman vote-getter with Bobby Douglass, who led the Jayhawks to a 9-2 record, Big 8 championship, and Orange Bowl appearance. Douglass racked up a total of 24 touchdowns both through the air and on the ground that season and finished seventh in Heisman voting.
Douglass also went on to a successful pro career that lasted 10 seasons.
Finally, David Jaynes finished fourth in the Heisman voting for his performance during the 1973 season. Jaynes threw for 14 touchdowns while also running for four as a led the Jayhawks to a 7-4-1 record and an appearance in the Liberty Bowl.
basketball. All-time Roy Williams Jayhawks team. light
While Kansas football hasn’t seen any recent Heisman vote-getters, that doesn’t mean the Jayhawks have lacked some great players. Obviously, Reesing was great, and current running back Pooka Williams is no slouch either.