By Darin In an era where players were expected to do it all, Jerry Stovall did it better than anyone else. A true three-phase threat for the LSU Tigers, Stovall was the heartbeat of the Bayou Bengals in the early 1960s. Whether he was grinding out tough yards on the ground, snagging interceptions in the secondary, or launching booming punts that flipped the field, Stovall was the personification of versatility. A Heisman runner-up who left an indelible mark on Baton Rouge, Stovall’s journey from a unanimous All-American to the College Football Hall of Fame is a testament to the grit and skill of a legendary era.
Football Bio
April 30, 1941 – West Monroe, Louisiana – The LSU Tigers two-way halfback and defensive back from 1960 to 1962, Jerry Stovall, celebrated his day of birth.
The FootballFoundation.org sings the praises of Stovall, indicating that he was a unanimous All-America selection in 1962. Jerry Stovall was a literal “Mr. Everything” for LSU, playing halfback, leading his team in rushing and receiving, and handling punting duties during his three years in Baton Rouge.
What a player this guy was; he finished at LSU with 1,071 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, adding 462 yards and one touchdown receiving. Jerry also held the LSU record for highest punting average (42.1) in a season, amassing 165 attempts for 6,477 yards by career’s end. Stovall gained nearly 700 return yards on special teams and recorded seven interceptions as a defensive standout. Jerry Stovall was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 after the National Football Foundation tallied its votes.
Conclusion
Jerry Stovall’s legacy at LSU is defined by a level of endurance and multi-functional excellence that is rarely seen in the modern game. By leading his team in nearly every major statistical category—from rushing to punting—he became the ultimate weapon for Coach Paul Dietzel and later Charles McClendon. His narrow second-place finish in the 1962 Heisman Trophy race remains one of the closest in history, further cementing his status as one of the premier athletes of his generation. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008, Stovall remains a revered figure in Louisiana, having served the Tigers both as a legendary player and as a head coach.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2008.
- Unanimous First-Team All-American: 1962.
- Heisman Trophy Runner-Up: 1962 (Finished 2nd to Terry Baker in a historically close vote).
- SEC Player of the Year: 1962 (Nashville Banner).
- Walter Camp Memorial Trophy: 1962 (Player of the Year).
- Two-Time All-SEC Selection: 1961, 1962.
- NFL First Round Pick: 2nd overall in the 1963 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 3× NFL Pro Bowl Selection: 1966, 1967, 1969.
- LSU Head Coach: Served as the head coach of the Tigers from 1980 to 1983, earning SEC Coach of the Year in 1982.
- Special Teams Mastery: Held the LSU record for punting average and amassed nearly 700 return yards.