Hall of Fame
Ed Barker set the standard for those that followed. A three-year letterwinner at Washington State (1950-52), Barker was a First Team All-Pacific Coast Conference and Associated Press All-West Coast selection in 1951 after setting WSC, PCC and NCAA records with 864 receiving yards. Despite playing in a run-oriented offense that year, Barker also set WSC records with 47 receptions and nine touchdowns. He concluded his Cougar career by breaking the NCAA’s three-year yardage record with 1,699 yards. In addition to his football achievements, Barker was an outstanding track man for WSC, excelling in the high jump and hurdles while earning three letters. He finished seventh in the decathlon at the 1952 United States Olympic Trials. The 12th overall pick in the 1953 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, Barker played professionally in 1953 (Pittsburgh Steelers) and 1954 (Washington Redskins). Following his football career, he became an officer in the United States Air Force retiring as a Lt. Colonel.
