As a senior at Iowa State, defensive end Merv Krakau was named All-Big Eight, and was a third-team All-America. In a game against Nebraska that season, he had 11 unassisted tackles, two sacks, deflected three passes, caused two fumbles and recovered two fumbles. Yet when the 1973 NFL draft took place, no less than 343 players were selected before the Bills took Krakau. In fact, he was the 18th player and fourth linebacker chosen by Buffalo during the two-day draft.