Will Cokeley

All-American Linebacker (1979-80)

Will graduated from Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kansas in 1978.  He lettered in football in 1975-1976-1977.  He was the top player on the Red Raven team in 1978 and 1979.  He was selected first team All-Conference and was named first team All-American in 1979.  Will was recruited by all the top programs in the country, but wanted to stay close to home so his mother and father could watch him play.

Will went to Kansas State University where he played in 1980 (red shirted in 1981) and led the Wildcats to a bowl game in 1982.  Will was selected Chevrolet Player of the Game twice in 1982, in games played against the University of Kansas and Oklahoma.  He was also selected second team All-Big Eight his senior year.

In 1983-84, Will played with the USFL team, the Memphis Panthers and then the Memphis Showboats during the 1985 season.  In 1986 he played a year in the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes.  During the players’ strike in 1987 he played a year in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills.

When Will was being recruited for the Ravens, he told Head Coach Dick Foster he was going to play pro football and take what money he could save and have a hunting preserve.  He fulfilled that dream when he retired from professional football in 1987.  He moved  back to Delia, Kansas and started a hunting preserve and sporting camp.  Delia is 30 miles north of Topeka.  Presently, Will is raising elk and breeds hunting dogs.

In 1983 he married his wife, Lynda, and they have two children.