By Darin What happens when you combine world-class Olympic-level athleticism with the most elusive running style in the Pacific Coast Conference? You get “Jaguar” Jon Arnett. Before the era of specialized roles, Arnett was the ultimate Swiss Army knife for USC football, a player so versatile he led the Trojans in rushing, passing, interceptions, and punt returns all in a single season. Known for his “acrobatic agility” honed as a youth gymnast, Arnett turned every touch into a potential highlight reel. From the Coliseum to the Pro Bowl, the “Jaguar” remains one of the most breathtaking broken-field runners to ever grace the gridiron.
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Football Bio
April 20, 1935 – Los Angeles, California – The University of Southern California’s brilliant halfback from 1954 through 1956, “Jaguar” Jon Arnett, arrived in this life.
Arnett was not only an efficient runner, but his punt return skills were off the charts, too. The NFF tells us that in 1954, the Jaguar led the Trojans in rushing with 601 yards, he scored 55 points, tacked up 129 punt returns, and intercepted 3 passes. He also completed 17 passes for 164 yards. Was there anything the man couldn’t do well that year?
In 1955, he was again tops in most categories, leading USC in rushing, total yards, and punt return yardage. As a senior, Jon rushed for 625 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per rush while leading Troy in scoring with 43 points, and he even threw a touchdown pass. He was also an All-America in 1955 and took home the Voit Trophy as best player on the Pacific Coast in 1955-56. Jon Arnett was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 after the National Football Foundation tallied its votes.
Conclusion
Jon Arnett’s legacy is defined by a level of versatility that seems almost mythical by modern standards. His ability to dominate in every phase of the game—rushing, receiving, returning, and even defending—made him the prototypical all-purpose back. Despite facing NCAA sanctions that limited his senior season, his impact was so undeniable that he finished in the Heisman Top 10 and was selected second overall in the NFL Draft. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001, Arnett is remembered as a player who didn’t just play the game; he electrified it with every “Jaguar” leap and cut.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2001.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1955.
- Two-Time Voit Trophy Winner: Named the best player on the Pacific Coast (1955, 1956).
- Pop Warner Award Winner: 1956 (Top senior on the West Coast).
- NFL First Round Pick: 2nd overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1957 NFL Draft.
- Five-Time NFL Pro Bowler: 1957–1961 (Selected in each of his first five seasons).
- First-Team All-Pro: 1958.
- USC Athletics Hall of Fame: Inaugural class inductee (1994).
- NCAA Track & Field Standout: Finished 2nd in the long jump at the 1954 NCAA Championships.
- NFL Record Holder: Once held the Los Angeles Rams record for the longest kickoff return (105 yards).
