College Career
Wehrli was assigned to defense by University of Missouri coach Dan Devine. Despite playing on defense, Wehrli was able to get his hands on the ball often enough to be an offensive threat. Wehrli was a two-time All-Big 8 player and was the Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. That same year, he was a unanimous All-America selection.
Roger had ten career interceptions, with seven coming in his senior season, also returning kickoffs and punts. In 1968, his 40 punt returns and 12-yard return average led the nation. To finish off an 8-3 season, Wehrli had a decisive interception to help lead the Missouri to a 35-10 victory over the University of Alabama in the Gator Bowl.
At the time of his College Hall of Fame induction he held school records for career punt returns, punt return yards in a game, season, and career. He played in the Senior Bowl and was named to the 50-year Anniversary All-Senior Bowl team.
Wehrli was a member of the first class of inductees into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, located in Springfield.
He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. Joining him as part of the class of 2003 were: Ricky Bell (USC), Murry Bowden (Dartmouth), Tom Brown (Minnesota), Jimbo Covert (Pittsburgh), Jerry LeVias (SMU), Billy Neighbors (Alabama), Ron Pritchard (Arizona State), John Rauch (Georgia), Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Joe Theismann (Notre Dame). Also elected as coaches are Doug Dickey and Hayden Fry.
Wehrli is the 13th person with ties to the University of Missouri to be inducted into the College Hall of Fame, joining standouts Bill Roper (Coach, 1951), Paul Christman (Quarterback, 1960), Don Faurot (Coach, 1961), Bob Steuber (Halfback, 1971), James Phelan (Coach, 1973), Ed “Brick” Travis (Tackle, 1974), Darold Jenkins (Center, 1976), Frank Broyles (Coach, 1983), John Waldorf (Official, 1984), Dan Devine (Coach, 1985), Johnny Roland (Halfback, 1998) and Kellen Winslow (Tight End, 2002).
In 1990, Wehrli was voted a charter member of the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.
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