Larry Elkins redefined the wide receiver position at Baylor University, shattering NCAA records and captivating football fans with his game-changing catches and elite athleticism.
Football Bio
July 28, 1943 -Legendary Baylor player Larry Elkins was born. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994 as a wide receiver out of Baylor University.
Larry held many of the top receiving records at Baylor, and in 1963, he had 70 receptions, and in 1962, he returned a punt 92 yards for a score, per the National Football Foundation.
In 1965, Mr. Elkins was the first-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers and the second overall pick of the American Football League’s Houston Oilers.
Just after the Jets picked Joe Namath, he accepted the Oilers’ offer and spent four seasons there.
Injuries plagued his pro career as he joined the NFL Steelers in 1969, earned the starting job, and then broke his collarbone in a preseason game. Wow, that’s just too bad. He just had a bad run of luck there in his pro career.
Despite the severe injuries that cut his professional career short, Elkins secures his legacy as one of the most dominant and talented receivers in the history of college football.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1994.
- 2Γ Consensus First-Team All-American: 1963, 1964 (He was Baylor’s first-ever two-time consensus pick).
- 2Γ First-Team All-SWC: 1963, 1964.
- NCAA Record Setter: Led the nation and set an NCAA record with 70 receptions during the 1963 season.
- 1965 AFL Draft: Selected 1st overall in the first round by the Houston Oilers.
- 1965 NFL Draft: Selected 10th overall in the first round by the Green Bay Packers.
- Career Offensive Statistics at Baylor: Hauled in 144 receptions for 2,094 yards and 19 touchdowns.
- Baylor Athletic Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1976.
- Texas Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted for his legendary prep and collegiate career.
