By Darin Imagine a defender so fierce he became the first ever to claim the Lombardi Award, anchoring a defensive unit that paved the way for two national championships. Jim Stillwagon was the literal and metaphorical center of the “Super Sophomores” and the legendary Ohio State teams of the late 1960s. From dominating the Big Ten trenches to sweeping college football’s most prestigious interior line awards, discover the legacy of the man who defined the toughness of the Woody Hayes era and earned his place among the immortal Buckeyes.
Football Bio
February 11, 1949 – Mt Vernon, Ohio – Jim Stillwagon, the excellent defensive tackle from Ohio State University, stakes the claim in his date of birth. The FootballFoundation.org website tells how Stillwagon played for Hall of Fame Coach Woody Hayes’ Buckeye teams from 1968 through 1970. In that span, Ohio State football went 27-2 overall and won two national championships, including the consensus national title in 1968. The anchor of the OSU D-line took home hardware for his great work, too. Stillwagon was the first player to win the Lombardi Award in 1970, and he also won the Outland Trophy that same season. He was named a consensus All-American in 1969 and a unanimous All-American in 1970, along with being honored as the UPI’s defensive lineman of the year. The National Football Foundation selected Jim Stillwagon to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
Conclusion
Jim Stillwagon remains the gold standard for interior defensive line play at Ohio State. As the first-ever recipient of the Lombardi Award and a dual winner of the Outland Trophy, he achieved a level of individual dominance that few have mirrored in the decades since. His leadership during the 27-2 run of the late 1960s cemented the Buckeyes as a national powerhouse and ensured his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Stillwagon’s legacy is one of grit, technical excellence, and championship pedigree.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee: Class of 1991.
- First Lombardi Award Winner (1970): Recognizing the nation’s best lineman or linebacker.
- Outland Trophy Winner (1970): Honored as the nation’s best interior lineman.
- Consensus All-American (1969): Recognized as a premier defensive tackle.
- Unanimous All-American (1970): Achieving universal recognition as the best in the country.
- Two-Time National Champion: Won titles in 1968 (Consensus) and 1970.
- UPI Defensive Lineman of the Year (1970): Voted the best in the land by the United Press International.
- Career Winning Record: Anchored a team that went 27-2 during his varsity tenure.
