Roosevelt Leaks

Bio

Roosevelt Leaks earned election to the College Football Hall of Fame despite having an injury-plagued collegiate career. Leaks was an unsought high school player from Brenham, Texas who became the first African-American star player for Coach Darrell Royal. His powerful straight ahead battering-ram style caused one sports writer to call him “The Sledgehammer.” Entering his first year with the varsity squad, he was an unknown quantity due to an injury-filled year with the freshman team. In 1972, he rushed for 1,099 yards and scored eight touchdowns as the Longhorns went 10-1 and were the nation’s third ranked team. For his efforts, Leaks was an All-Conference choice and a second-team All-America selection. In his junior year, Leaks set a SWC rushing record with 1,415 yards and a single-game record of 342 yards. Roosevelt repeated on the all-conference team, but added Conference MVP and consensus All-America status to his resume. With a third place finish in the Heisman voting, he was one of the favorites to capture the award in his senior year. In the spring, Leaks was recuperating from a left knee injury late in the 1973 season when he went down with right knee injury that required ligament repair. He went into his senior year as a major question mark, yet through dedicated and intensive rehabilitation he made himself ready for the season. He missed the opener and with his speed slowed by the injury, shared the fullback spot with freshman and future Hall of Famer Earl Campbell. Leaks was drafted in the fifth round by Baltimore and enjoyed a nine-year pro career.

Career Highlights

• 1973 All-Conference
• 1973 Conference MVP
• 1973 Consensus All-America
• 1973 Heisman - Third
• 1972 All-Conference
• 1972 Second Team All-America