Wes Fesler: The Buckeyes’ Three-Time All-American

Wes Fesler commands the field as an unstoppable force, securing his status as one of the most gifted multi-sport athletes in Ohio State history.

Football Bio

June 29, 1908 – Youngstown, Ohio – the great end from the Ohio State teams of 1928 to 1930, Wes Fesler, was born.

The National Football Foundation claims he might just be one of the greatest linemen ever from Ohio State. As a member of the Buckeyes, Fesler was a Phi Beta Kappa, a baseball star, a basketball All-America, and a three-time football All-America.

He played a mean defensive end, and in 1929, he picked up a fumble and raced 95 yards for a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats. In 1930, he was voted the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player.

Sometimes, to appreciate how good a player was, you have to look at what opposing coaches may have said about the player. Pitt’s head coach, Jock Sutherland, once said about Fesler that he was “a one-man team. It is unbelievable how that boy can do so many things.”

He was Ohio State’s leading receiver and, on some plays, moved into the backfield and threw a pass or two.

Mr. Fesler went on to a successful career in coaching, leading programs at Wesleyan University, the University of Pittsburgh, Ohio State, and the University of Minnesota. The National Football Foundation selected Wes Fesler for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.

Wes Fesler transforms the game through his extraordinary versatility and sheer athletic dominance. He shapes generations of players as a respected head coach, ensuring his legendary contributions to college football resonate forever.

Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1954.
• Unanimous First-Team All-American: 1930.
• 2× Consensus First-Team All-American: 1928, 1929.
• Big Ten Most Valuable Player (Chicago Tribune Silver Football): 1930.
• 3× First-Team All-Big Ten: 1928, 1929, 1930.
• Multi-Sport Excellence: Earned nine varsity letters across football, basketball, and baseball at Ohio State.
• Ohio State Varsity “O” Hall of Fame: Charter inductee in 1977.
• Academic Excellence: Honored as a Phi Beta Kappa.
• Rose Bowl Champion (Coach): Led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a Big Ten co-championship in 1949 and a victory in the 1950 Rose Bowl.