Ranking The 25 Best Players in Mizzou Football History

Missouri football has experienced one of its most successful and exciting eras since leveling up and becoming a member of the SEC in 2012.

Under coach Eli Drinkwitz, the Tigers have established themselves as a national program capable of competing for championships. In the process, they have produced some of the best players in the college game.

But that’s nothing new.

Mizzou has a rich football history.

Top 25 Missouri Tigers of All-Time

Though today’s stars might be gaining more attention because of the stage on which they’re playing, the program boasts a proud history filled with All-Americans, NFL Draft picks and Hall of Famers.

Here’s a look at the 25 best ever to wear the black and gold of Mizzou.

25. Danny LaRose, End (1958-1960)

LaRose was one of the greatest players of the 2-way era, an end who dominated the line of scrimmage on defense, was the team’s leading receiver as a sophomore and senior and handled the punting duties. He was a consensus All-American and the standout star of the 1960 team that went undefeated (at least technically, thanks to its only loss being overturned because Kansas used an ineligible player) and beat Heisman Trophy winner Joe Bellino and Navy in the Orange Bowl.

24. Darold Jenkins, Center/LB (1939-1941)

After struggling to find playing time as a fullback, Jenkins was moved to center where he immediately found his niche as the point man for coach Don Faurot’s innovative split-T offense and as a playmaker on defense as a middle linebacker. He was an All-Big 6 selection as a junior, then in 1941 became the first Mizzou player to win consensus first-team All-America honors while leading the Tigers to a conference title and Sugar Bowl berth. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976 and his No. 42 has been retired by the school.

23. Ed Travis, Tackle (1917, 1919-1920)

Travis’ football career was interrupted by World War I, where he served in the US Army as a first lieutenant. When he returned to school, he stood out as a 2-way player on the offensive and defensive lines while leading the Tigers to a 12-2-2 record over his final 2 seasons. Despite being only 6-1, 205 pounds, Travis was known by the nickname “Brick” because of his muscular build and the havoc he created at the point of attack. Against Iowa State in 1920, he staged a goal-line stand by making 4 straight tackles inside the 2-yard line. Against Kansas, he blocked a field goal and a punt and recovered 2 fumbles to lead his team to a 13-7 win. An All-Missouri Valley Conference pick in 1919 and 1920, Travis was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

22. Brian Smith, DE (2003-2006)

A remarkably consistent edge rusher who recorded at least 7 sacks in each of his 4 seasons, Smith was a 2-time All-Big 12 selection who finished his career as the Tigers’ all-time leader with 31.5 sacks. He recorded a career-high of 9.5 as a junior, despite playing most of the 2005 season with a torn meniscus in his right knee and was well on his way toward posting an even bigger number as a senior until a more serious injury – a hip fracture – cut his final season short. He still ended up with 7.5 sacks and 11 quarterback pressures despite playing in only 8 games.

21. James Wilder, RB (1978-1980)

Known as the “Sikeston Train” because of his hometown of Sikeston, Missouri, Wilder was one of the most successful and most popular players in program history both during and after his career with the Tigers. He set a school rushing record with 2,357 yards with 22 touchdowns while leading Mizzou to bowl games in each of his 3 seasons. His career highlight came against rival Nebraska as a freshman in 1978 when he ran for 181 yards and 4 scores in a 35-31 victory. As good as Wilder was in college, he was even better in the NFL. He is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ all-time rushing leader with more than 6,000 career yards.

20. Mel Gray, WR (1968-1970)

Gray was an All-American sprinter who set Mizzou records in the 100 and 200, speed that helped him become the most dangerous deep-threat receiver in college football. He led the nation with an average of 27.1 yards per catch as a junior in 1969 and his 9 touchdowns were a school record and the most in the Big 8 that season. He left as the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 1,491 yards and receiving touchdowns with 14. He also averaged 7.0 yards per carry while scoring 3 touchdowns on 16 career rushing attempts. A 4-time Pro Bowl selection with the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals, Gray was selected to Mizzou’s All-Century Team in 1990.

19. Blaine Gabbert, QB (2008-2010)

A 5-star recruit rated as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the nation by some recruiting services, Gabbert committed to Nebraska but flipped to Missouri after coach Bill Callahan was fired. After spending his true freshman year as a backup to record-setter Chase Daniel, he took over the starting job and wasted little time showing off his strong arm and quick release. He threw for 468 yards against Baylor, the second-most in school history, and finished the season with 3,593 yards and 24 touchdowns to earn second-team Big 12 recognition. Although he threw for less yardage and fewer touchdowns the following season (3,186 and 16), he improved his percentage from 58.8% to 64.3 and led the Tigers to 10 wins, including an upset of No. 1 Oklahoma. Gabbert didn’t play in the SEC, but he’s 1 of 9 Tigers who threw for 3,000 yards in a season.

His 6,822 career yards and 40 passing touchdowns rank among the top 100 in program history.

18. James Kinney, LB (2001-2004)

A fast, physical 6-1, 240-pound linebacker, Kinney is often overlooked because of his businesslike style and the fact that he played during a 4-year stretch in which the Tigers managed only 1 winning record. And yet, his numbers speak for themselves. He owns 2 of the top 6 single-season tackle totals in program history with 148 in 2002 and 148 in 2003. And his career total of 434 stops are the most ever by a Mizzou defender, to go along with 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

17. Phil Bradley, QB (1977-1980)

Bradley was named Big 8 Offensive Player of the Year in 3 of the 4 seasons he quarterbacked the Tigers while leading his teams to 3 straight bowl appearances. He led the conference in touchdown passes in 1978, in completion percentage and passing yards in both 1979 and 1980 and finished his career with a Big 8 record of 6,459 yards (5,352 passing, 1,107 rushing) that stood for a full decade before being broken. As accomplished as Bradley was on the gridiron, he was even better as a baseball player. A star outfielder who led Mizzou to the 1980 conference championship and 2 straight NCAA Tournament bids, he played 8 Major League seasons, primarily with the Seattle Mariners. 

16. J’Mon Moore, WR (2014-2017)

Moore struggled with drops early in his career. But once he solved that problem and learned how to take advantage of his athletic 6-3, 207-pound frame, he developed into one of the best receivers in program history. He is 1 of only 2 receivers in Mizzou history to record multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons, catching 62 passes for 1,012 yards (with 8 touchdowns) in 2016 and 65 passes for 1,082 yards (and 10 touchdowns) in 2017. His 158 catches for 2,477 yards and 21 touchdowns all rank among the top 10 all-time on the Tigers’ receiving list.

15. Russ Washington, DE (1964-1967)

Standing 6-6 and weighing 289 pounds, Washington was one of the biggest players of his era. He was one of the most dominant linemen in program history, winning Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American honors in 1967 despite missing 2 games with a sore knee. Washington scored his only career touchdown as a junior when he blocked a punt against UCLA and returned it into the end zone. After spending his standout college career on the defensive side of the ball, he moved to offense in the NFL, where he was selected to multiple Pro Bowls as an offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers. As the No. 4 overall pick, he is tied with Justin Smith as the highest among the Tigers’ NFL Draft picks.

14. Sean Weatherspoon, LB (2006-2009)

Weatherspoon arrived in Columbia as a 2-star recruit, but he left 4 years later as one of the best defenders in school history. A 2-time All-American and 3-time first-team All-Big 12 performer, the hard-hitting linebacker amassed 413 tackles, the third-most in Mizzou history. His 43.5 career tackles for loss rank second on the school’s all-time list. Weatherspoon was the Defensive MVP honors in the Tigers’ 2008 Alamo Bowl victory against Northwestern, closing out a senior season in which he made 155 tackles with 18.5 TFLs, 3 interceptions and 7 pass breakups before becoming the first-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons. 

13. Shane Ray, DE (2012-2014)

Even though he spent his first 2 seasons with the Tigers as a backup to Michael Sam and Kony Ealy, Ray still had a knack for making big plays. As a sophomore in 2013, he produced a strip sack on Georgia’s Aaron Murray that helped Mizzou beat the Bulldogs in Athens, then returned a fumble 73 yards for the clinching touchdown in a Cotton Bowl win against Oklahoma State. Once he finally became a starter in 2014, he made the most of his opportunity. He set a single-season school record with 14.5 sacks to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors and unanimous selection as a first-team All-American. He declared for the NFL Draft following his junior year, finishing his career with 18.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss.

12. Brock Olivo, RB (1994-1997)

A blue-collar player who won over the hearts of Tigers fans with his passion, hard work and determination, Olivo’s No. 27 is one of only 7 to be retired by Mizzou. He graduated as the school’s all-time leading rusher with 3,026 yards. He also ran for 27 touchdowns and caught 63 passes for 43 yards with 4 more scores while providing most of the memorable moments in an otherwise forgettable era of Mizzou football. But those numbers tell only a portion of Olivo’s contribution to the program. His work on kick and punt coverage teams helped him become the first Tiger to win a national individual award when he was named the recipient of the Mosi Tatupu National Special Teams Player of the Year in 1997. 

11. Paul Christman, QB (1938-1940)

Christman wasn’t the most polished athlete, but his powerful throwing arm made up for what he lacked in speed and agility. Nicknamed “Pitchin’ Paul,” he led the nation with 13 touchdown passes in 1940 and was Mizzou’s all-time passing leader for 36 years until Steve Pisarkiewicz finally surpassed him in 1976. Christman won 20 of the 20 games he started for the Tigers while earning All-American honors in each of his 3 seasons, including consensus first-team mention in 1939. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1956 and his No. 44 is one of 7 retired by Mizzou.

10. Chase Coffman, TE (2015-2018)

Coffman had already achieved star status by amassing a school-record 20 receiving touchdowns and ranking third on Mizzou’s all-time list with 156 receptions heading into his senior season. His performance during that 2018 campaign helped him become a Tigers’ legend. The hulking 6-6, 250-pounder caught 90 passes for 987 yards and 10 touchdowns to win the John Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end, to earn first-team All-American recognition along with the John Mackey Award as the nations best tight end. His 247 career catches and 30 touchdowns are the most in school history by any receiver, not just tight ends, and his 2,659 yards rank third all-time.

9. Michael Sam, DE (2009-2013)

Sam might best be remembered as the first openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL. But that notoriety overshadows an outstanding college career that culminated with his selection as a unanimous All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior for the Tiger. His 11.5 sacks in 2013 tied a single-season school record (that has since been broken) and his 21 career sacks rank top 5 in school history. He finished his career with 123 total tackles, including 36 for losses, with 6 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions – one of which secured a win against Texas Tech in 2010 that helped Mizzou gain bowl eligibility.

8. Drew Lock, QB (2015-2018)

Lock’s career got off to a rocky start after being thrust into a starting role as a true freshman after Maty Mauk was suspended four games into the season. The team struggled, leading to coach Gary Pinkel’s departure. That proved to be a turning point for Lock, who thrived under the direction of new coach Barry Odom and offensive coordinator Josh Heupel (who became Tennessee’s head coach in 2021). He finished second in the SEC with 3,399 passing yards in 2016, threw for a school-record 521 yards and 7 touchdowns in the 2017 season-opener on the way to leading the nation and setting an SEC record with 44 touchdowns.

Lock topped 3,000 yards 3 times and is Mizzou’s first QB to throw for 3,000 yards in the SEC.

His 12,193 passing yards and 99 touchdown passes both rank No. 2 on Mizzou’s career list.

7. Brad Smith, QB (2002-2005)

The epitome of a dual-threat quarterback, Smith is the first player in NCAA history to throw for 8,000 yards and run for at least 4,000 yards in his career. He is still Mizzou’s all-time leading rusher with 4,289 yards, one of the 69 school, conference and national records he set while with the Tigers, and his 8,799 passing yards are fourth on the school’s all-time list.

He’s the only Mizzou Tiger who ran for 1,000 yards in a season 3 times.

He was responsible for 101 touchdowns (56 passing, 45 rushing). Most important, Smith was a catalyst for a golden era of Tigers football under coach Gary Pinkel. It’s a testament to Smith’s versatility that after leaving Mizzou, he went on to play 9 productive NFL seasons as a wide receiver.

6. Roger Wehrli, CB (1966-1968)

Wehrli was a ball-hawking cornerback who was named Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous first-team All-America selection as a senior in 1968 after intercepting 7 passes, including 3 in a win against Oklahoma State. Wehrli finished his career with 10 interceptions. He was also an elite return specialist who, at the time of his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003, held his school’s records for punt return yards in a game, season and career. After being picked in the first round by the St.. Louis Cardinals, he went on to have a successful NFL career and along with Kellen Winslow, is 1 of only 2 former Tigers to also be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

5. Jeremy Maclin, WR/KR (2006-2008)

Arguably the most dynamic talent ever to play for the Tigers because of his game-breaking abilities as a receiver and returner, Maclin was the first player in program history to be named a first-team All-American as a freshman. And he’s still the 2-time first-team All-American. He set Big 12 records for all-purpose yardage as a freshman and sophomore in leading Mizzou to consecutive North Division championships. Maclin holds 9 of the top 20 single-game all-purpose yardage performances in school history and holds the program records for most all-purpose yards in a game (260 vs. Kansas State in 2008), season (2,3833 in 2008) and career (5,609). Despite playing only 2 seasons, he still managed to amass 182 catches for 2,315 yards and 22 touchdowns as a receiver, 688 yards and 3 touchdowns on 91 carries as a runner and 2,049 with 2 scores as a returner on his way to induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

He is 1 of 2 Mizzou receivers to have 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

4. Justin Smith, DE (1998-2000)

Nicknamed “Godzilla” because of his 6-4, 285-pound presence in the opposing backfield, Smith was a star literally from the moment he stepped onto campus. He was the first true freshman in 12 years to start all 11 games for Mizzou, earning Big 12 Defensive Rookie of the Year and Freshman All-American honors by accumulating 86 tackles, including 13 TFLs while helping the Tigers to their first bowl win since 1981. As a sophomore, he tied a school record with 8 sacks in earning first-team all-conference selection before breaking his own sack record with 11 and setting a new school mark with 24 TFLs to go along with 97 total tackles as a junior. After earning selection as a first-team All-American, Smith chose to forgo his final season of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft, where he was the fourth overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers. His name was added to the College Football Hall of Fame ballot in 2024.

3. Kellen Winslow Sr., TE (1975-1978)

Winslow didn’t just play tight end, he changed the way the position was played because of his size, his agility and his relentless energy as a clutch pass catcher and blocker. He was a late bloomer who played sparingly as a freshman but eventually developed into a dominant force once he and his coaching figured out how to harness his 6-5, 250-pound athleticism. He was a second-team All-Big 8 selection as a sophomore, a first-team pick in each of his final 2 seasons and a consensus All-American as a senior. He finished his career with 71 catches for 1,089 yards and 10 touchdowns, a performance that earned him entry into the College Football Hall of Fame. But that was only the beginning. After leaving Mizzou, where his No. 83 has been retired, Winslow put together an equally outstanding NFL career with the San Diego Chargers and is 1 of only 2 former Tigers to also be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2. Johnny Roland, RB/DB (1962-1965)

Roland’s Hall of Fame career at Mizzou was a study of versatility, persistence and history. It started in 1962 as a running back who rushed for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns in his varsity debut as a sophomore. He rushed for 830 yards and scored 78 points that season, earning third-team All-American honors. Then after being suspended in 1963 for a crime it was later proven he didn’t commit, he returned to the team and became an All-Big 8 performer at defensive back. He was a consensus first-team All-American as a senior in 1965 when he led the team with 6 interceptions, returned punts for a 16.4-yard average and occasionally reprised his original role as a running back role on offense. He even threw a touchdown pass against Florida in the Sugar Bowl. He also made history that year by becoming the first Black player to serve as a team captain for the Tigers. His jersey No. 23 is 1 of 7 to be retired by the school.

1. Chase Daniel, QB (2005-2008)

Daniel didn’t put Mizzou football onto the map. It was already there before he arrived. His 4-season tenure just attracted national attention to the program and helped make the Tigers an attractive target for eventual SEC expansion. As a junior in 2007, he led his team to its first No. 1 national ranking in 50 years on the way to a program-record 12 wins, earning the Big 12’s Offensive Player of the Year award and a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist for his efforts. A year later, he threw for a single-season school record 4,335 yards and 39 touchdowns while leading Mizzou to double-digit wins for the second straight season. Although he wasn’t known for having a strong throwing arm, he made up for it with deadly accuracy, best displayed during a 2-game stretch against Southeast Missouri and Nevada in 2008 when he threw more touchdown passes (7) than incompletions (6). Daniel’s career totals of 12,515 passing yards, 101 touchdowns and .680 competition percentage are all the most in Tigers history.

Brett Friedlander

Award-winning columnist Brett Friedlander has covered the ACC and college basketball since the 1980s.