Spencer "Gene" Settles was a defensive linebacker for the UCLA Bruins during the 1971 - 1974 seasons. In 1974, he was the recipient of the UCLA Bruins' Henry R. Sanders trophy for Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Biography

Spencer Gene Settles was born in Houston, Texas on 25 February 1953 to Paul Silas and Martha Ann Tate Settles. Upon graduation in 1970 from B.C. Elmore High School in Houston, Texas, Gene was recruited by Notre Dame,

Stanford University Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University, is a Private university, private research university in Stanford, California, United States. It was founded in 1885 by railroad magnate Leland Stanford (the eighth ...

University of Texas The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 1883, it is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. With 53,082 students as of fall 2 ...

Texas A&M Texas A&M University (Texas A&M, A&M, TA&M, or TAMU) is a public university, public, Land-grant university, land-grant, research university in College Station, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1876 and became the flagship institution of ...

University of Oklahoma The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Public university, public research university in Norman, Oklahoma, United States. Founded in 1890, it had existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two territories became the ...

Nebraska Nebraska ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Ka ...

, the

University of California at Los Angeles The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Its academic roots were established in 1881 as a normal school then known as the southern branch of the Ca ...

(UCLA), and others. He began his freshman year as a starting defensive linebacker with the UCLA Bruins in 1971 under the direction of coach Franklin Cullen

Pepper Rodgers Franklin Cullen "Pepper" Rodgers (October 8, 1931 – May 14, 2020) was an American American football, football player and coach. As a college football player, he led the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to ...

. According to the UCLA 1972 "The Spirit Of College Football" publication, as a pre-law major sophomore, he was "rated a fine prospect and figures to back up Tom Daniels at RLB. He's tough and has a good speed, but obviously needs varsity game experience. Lettered in football under coach Wendell Mosley at B.C. Elmore High School in Houston, Texas. He won All-District honors at linebacker and also saw action at fullback." He is listed on the 1971 UCLA Alphabetical Roster as being jersey #59, 6'2", 226 pounds, and 19 years old. In 1973, Gene was a junior majoring in Political Science. The "1973 UCLA Football News Media Guide" states this about Gene Settles: "Started in 5 games a linebacker last year and is tabbed to be starter at LLB this fall. He tied with James Bright as the team's most prolific tackler last year with 79. Had an excellent Spring practice and showed good leadership qualities. A solid all-around player, he continues to show steady improvement. Was a starting linebacker on 1971 Frosh team." In 1974 UCLA hired-on a new coach with top credentials by the name of

Dick Vermeil Richard Albert Vermeil ( ; born October 30, 1936) is an American former football coach who served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. He was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles for seven seasons, the St. L ...

. According to the "1974 UCLA Football News Media Guide", Spencer "Gene" Settles was a senior majoring in Economics. "He was a defensive inside linebacker (ILB), starting five games at left linebacker last year. He filled in when Rick Baska was injured in third game of the season (Michigan State) and did a fine job, bringing down 48 opposition ball carriers. Had a good Spring practice but was hampered by a sprained ankle for most of the practice period. He emerged as number two ILB behind

Fulton Kuykendall Fulton Gerald Kuykendall (June 10, 1953 – February 15, 2024) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL), primarily for the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football for the UCLA B ...

but should challenge for starting position. He is a solid and valuable performer. Timed in 5.0 seconds for 40 yards without pads. Started 5 games at linebacker slot as sophomore and made 79 tackles after starting at LB for 1971 Frosh."

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Settles, Gene 1953 births UCLA Bruins football players University of California, Los Angeles alumni Living people