- DeAndre Smith set several Missouri State records, including total yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, and more.
- Ray Haley ran for 716 yards on 111 carries in 1948.
- Rich Johanningmeier’s No. 71 jersey was retired by the school.
The Missouri State Bears were part of the FCS, but as of the 2025 season, will join the FBS and Conference USA. They’ve had a football team since 1909.
With that move, football betting on the Bears’ college football odds will be available at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Below, we’ll examine the top five players in Missouri State history.
5 Best Missouri State Bears Football Players, Ranked
| Rank | Player | Position | Bears Years |
| 1 | DeAndre Smith | QB | 1987-1990 |
| 2 | Ray Haley | RB | 1947-1951 |
| 3 | Rich Johanningmeier | OL | 1960-1963 |
| 4 | Clay Harbor | TE | 2005-2009 |
| 5 | Jason Whittle | OL | 1995-1998 |
Missouri State Bears All-Time Greatest Football Players
1. DeAndre Smith
Smith played for Missouri State from 1987 to 1990, where he was a consensus Division I–AA All-American, two-time Gateway Offensive Player of the Year, and the Gateway Offensive Player of the Decade.
The school also retired his No. 1 jersey.
Smith set records for total yards (6,356), points (242), touchdowns (40), completion percentage (57%), and consecutive games scoring a touchdown (10).
Smith also led the school to its only FCS playoff win.
2. Ray Haley
Haley was with Missouri State from 1947 to 1951, winning two MIAA championships.
He received All-Conference honours in 1947, 1948, and 1951.
In 1948, he ran for 716 yards and eight touchdowns on 111 carries.
He was inducted into the Missouri State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977.
3. Rich Johanningmeier
Johanningmeier was the anchor of the Bears’ offensive line from 1960 to 1963. During that time, Missouri State won a conference title and went to a bowl game.
Johanningmeier was first-team Little All-American, MIAA All-Conference, and was part of the Bears’ 9-0 squad in 1963.
He also went on to coach the team after his playing days, winning 58 games.
His No. 71 jersey was retired by the school.
4. Clay Harbor
Harbor was with Missouri State from 2005 to 2009, where he was named first-team All-American in his senior season.
He received many other accolades, including third-team All-American, first-team All-MVFC, the MSU Offensive Player of the Year, second-team All-America.
As a junior, he went over 1,000 career receiving yards.
He finished his career with 150 catches, which was the most in program history. He also had 1,906 receiving yards, which was third in program history.
5. Jason Whittle
Whittle has a lasting legacy in Missouri dating back to his high school days, when he was a two-time All-State defensive lineman.
When he arrived at Missouri State, he went on to be a four-year letterman from 1994 to 1998 and won the 1995 Arthur Biggs Award, which is given to the team’s top scholar-athlete.
Whittle played in the NFL from 1998 to 2008 after going undrafted in 1998.
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