By Darin - Darold Jenkins anchored Don Faurot’s legendary split-T offense, earning All-American honors and a place in the College Football Hall of Fame.
College Career
Darold Jenkins was born on June 6, 1919, in Pettis County, Missouri. Growing up in the Show-Me State, he attended Higginsville High School before taking his talents to the University of Missouri. Playing for the Tigers from 1939 to 1941, the 6-foot, 190-pound Jenkins became the focal point of one of college football’s most revolutionary eras.
As a two-way star, Jenkins played center on offense and linebacker on defense. He was a faultless ball-handler tasked with making legendary coach Don Faurot’s newly engineered split-T formation click. Faurot famously considered Jenkins a true “playmaker” because his lightning-fast, precise snaps and mid-line blocking mechanics got the entire option offense moving.
Road After College game
While Jenkins possessed the elite talent necessary to transition into professional football, his road to the pro game took a sharp detour due to global conflict. Following his historic 1941 senior season, the call of World War II completely shifted his trajectory. Instead of signing a pro football contract, Jenkins enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Serving as a bomber pilot, he logged 27 harrowing combat missions over Germany. During his final mission, his aircraft was shot down, leading to a grueling 16 months spent as a prisoner of war (POW) in a German camp. By the time he returned home and eventually retired from military service with the rank of lieutenant colonel, his window for an NFL playing career had closed. Rather than suiting up on Sundays, Jenkins pivoted to higher education, earned a law degree, and became a practicing attorney in 1952.
Football Legacy
Though he never played a down in the professional ranks, Jenkins left behind a massive legacy in the annals of college football history. He proved that the center position could dictate the tempo and viability of an elite offense. His leadership guided the Tigers to a spectacular 22-7 record during his three varsity seasons. As the ultimate anchor of the split-T formation, his influence rippled through the sport as the option offense spread across America for decades to come.
Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats
Because official individual defensive stats like tackles and sacks were not tracked during the early 1940s, Jenkins’ impact is immortalized through his unmatched team success and premier individual accolades:
- Team Record: Led Missouri to a 22-7 overall record (1939–1941).
- 1941 Team Captain: Captained the Tigers to the Big Six Conference Championship and a berth in the 1942 Sugar Bowl against Fordham.
- All-Conference Selection: Two-time All-Big Six selection (1940, 1941).
- All-American: Earned Consensus All-America honors as a senior in 1941.
- National Football Foundation Hall of Fame: Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976.
- State of Missouri Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1976.