North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame
Leonard Dunlap was the junior-college transfer of every coach’s dreams.
Dunlap came to North Texas from Kilgore Junior College, where he was the school’s first African-American student. In his first season at North Texas in 1969, he not only cracked the starting lineup but intercepted six passes and returned three of them for touchdowns, tying an NCAA single-season record. He had seven more picks his senior year, giving him 13 interceptions for his two-year career and tying him with J.T. Smith for third place all-time at North Texas. He also added to his touchdown total in his senior year with one interception returned for a score.
“If the ball is within reach, you can bet he will catch it,” said secondary coach Bill Brashier in 1971.
Dunlap and teammate Lyndon Fox combined for 13 interceptions in 1969, and in their careers, the duo racked up 31 interceptions.
Dunlap still holds the school record for career interception-return yards with 382. In 1970, he was named to the Missouri Valley’s first team All-Conference team, and in 1971 he was the MVC Athlete of the Year. He also played in the Coaches All-America Football Game in 1971.
After his senior season, Dunlap was the third first-round draft choice from North Texas when he was tabbed in 1971 by the Baltimore Colts. Dunlap played five years in the NFL, and in 1972 had five interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
Dunlap is member of the Kilgore Junior College Hall of Fame, and, in 2013, he was named to the North Texas All-Century football team.