Willie Harper
N.F.L. defensive end.
Defensive end Willie Harper came to Nebraska from Toledo, Ohio and earned All-American
honors in 1971 and 1972 while playing on Nebraska’s first two national championship
teams. His play in the 1971 Orange Bowl is one reason why the Huskers' 17-12 victory
over Louisiana State was such a defensive struggle: Harper harassed Tigers quarterback
Buddy Lee all game. Not a big end (6-foot-2, 207 pounds), Harper used the LSU game
as a springboard to earn All-American status his final two years as a Husker. After
his college career ended, Harper became one of 10 Huskers selected in the 1973 National
Football League draft. He was taken in the second round with the 41st overall pick
by the San Francisco 49ers. Harper played 11 years for the Niners, winning a Super
Bowl ring in 1981, before finishing his career with the New Jersey Generals of the
USFL.
| EVENT |
PLACE |
POINTS |
MONEY |
EVENT WINS |
| 1982 Superteams Football Preliminary |
2 |
$4,000 |
||
| TOTALS |
|
$4,000 |