Illinois running back Harry Jefferson played in the shadows of J.C. Caroline, Abe Woodson, Mickey Bates, Bobby Mitchell and Ray Nitschke, but despite that competition put together a fine career as a member of coach Ray Eliot's team from 1954-55.
The native of White Plains, N.Y., was Illinois' leading rusher in 1955 for a team that beat third-ranked Michigan and went 5-3-1. Jefferson ran for 514 yards in an injury-shortened season, 10 more yards than Mitchell, who would go on to become a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
That earned Jefferson second-team All-Big Ten and honorable mention All-America laurels.