(Aug. 2, 1919 – May 18, 1992) Jake Leicht was late to college football but returned to the University of Oregon twice, after military service and, again after being selected in the NFL draft to continue playing the game.
Leicht had already competed for two seasons at Pasadena (CA) Community College before moving to Eugene in 1940 with other teammates who liked what coach Tex Oliver was doing with the Ducks program. Jake was also a talented sprinter, so his first competition was on the track in the spring of 1941. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps that fall and would not return until the end of World War II. Oregon had suspended the football program for two seasons (1943-44) but Tex Oliver returned as coach and Leicht was a 25-year-old "Sophomore" that everyone wanted to see.
In his very first game, facing Idaho at Hayward Field, Jake did it all. He threw for two touchdowns, ran for another, intercepted a pass, caused a fumble, kicked an extra point and averaged 60 yards on kickoffs to the Vandals. In that first year, Leicht was named All-America after setting a school record with ten interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 411 yards, passing with 376 yards and punt return yards with 322 on a 3-6 team.
The Washington Redskins drafted him in the eighth round in 1946, but Leicht chose to return to play two more years for the Ducks. On the track, he swept the Pacific Coast Conference 100- and 200-yard championships.
And there were two more years of football to be played. Jake's first season in junior college did not count against his eligibility. In 1947, his senior year, Leicht led the Pacific Coast Conference in rushing with 630 yards, scoring with 56 points as the team went 7-3 with Norm Van Brocklin at quarterback. He finished his career with 1,253 rushing yards and is still ranked on the all-time team list with 980 punt return yards. He also totaled 17 interceptions.
Finally, it was time for pro football and in 1948, Leicht was a 29-year-old rookie with the Baltimore Colts, then members of the All-American Football Conference, before the merger with the NFL. His pro career spanned 26 games in which he had 26 carries and 13 receptions.
Jake Leicht is a member of the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame.
And there were two more years of football to be played. Jake's first season in junior college did not count against his elgibnility. In 1947, his senior year, Leicht led the Pacific Coast Conference in rushing with 630 yards, scoring with 56 points as the team went 7-3 with Norm Van Brocklin at quarterback. He finished his career with 1,253 rushing yards, and is still ranked on the all-time team list with 980 punt return yards. He also totaled 17 interceptions.
Finally, it was time for pro football and in 1948, Leicht was a 29-year old rookie with the Baltimore Colts, then members of the All-American Football Conference, before the merger with the NFL. His pro career spanned 26 games in which he had 26 carries and 13 receptions.
Jake Leicht is a member of the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame.