The starting center on the Blue Devils' 1965 conference championship football squad, he was drafted in the seventh round by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967, taken 183rd of 445 picks that season. That is the highest draft position ever earned by a Stout football player up to that point. An outstanding student, he was recognized for his work both in the classroom and on the football field. He received all-conference honors in 1966 and was named NAIA All-American honorable mention that same year.