NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players: No. 79 - Cal Cummins, Freeport

The 79th player on our list would also be on any list of greatest football coaches in NIC-10 history.

Cal Cummins first drew notice in 1972 as the leading rusher (345 yards) on a 3-6 Freeport team. In 1973, he powered the Pretzels to a 9-1 record with the only loss being to the first of East's back-to-back undefeated teams. Cummins led the Big Nine in rushing with 1,232 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

Cummins was named first team All-Conference and also to several all-state football teams.

Cummins also was a starting guard on Freeport's conference champion basketball team, but he turned down offers to play both sports at Northern Illinois and Eastern Illinois to try his luck at football at Iowa State.

It took a lot of work for a 5-11, 185-pound player to get on the field in the Big Eight, but Cummins ended up starting at fullback for the Cyclones as a junior and senior. He ended up rushing for 915 yards on 226 carries with five touchdowns in 1976 and 1977. These were two of Iowa State's better teams. The Cyclones were 16-7 with Cummins in the starting lineup and played in the Peach Bowl.

Cummins returned to Freeport for a long career as a teacher and coach. He compiled a 199-61 record with 10 playoff appearances and four straight NIC-9 titles. 

No. 79 - Cal Cummins, Freeport
Year	Level	School	Accomplishments	Points
1972	High School	Freeport	Starter on losing team	0
1973	High School	Freeport	Second Team All-Conference	2
			Winning Team	1
			League Leader (rushing)	1
			All-State	1
1974	College	Iowa State	Played on Power 5 Team	2
1975	College	Iowa State	Played on Power 5 Team	2
1976	College	Iowa State	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
			Winning Team	1
1977	College	Iowa State	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
			Winning Team	1
			Bowl Game	1
Total				22

NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players

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