University of North Texas Athletics

Paul Draper was part of North Texas' powerful 1960s offensive lines, particularly at center, where NT earned first-team all-conference honors six times in seven years.

The run of dominance began with two-time all-league center Bob Sanders, who was drafted to the NFL after the 1965 season. Draper stepped into the starting center role in 1966, and, working with all-conference and future NFL quarterbacks Vidal Carlin and Steve Ramsey, was named first-team Missouri Valley all-conference in '66 and '67 and Associated Press All-America honorable mention in 1967. Draper was succeeded at center by Willie Parker, who was first-team in 1969.

Off the field, Draper was named to the Missouri Valley's Academic All-Star honor roll three years in a row, then earned a post-graduate scholarship from the NCAA.