By Darin Tom Cousineau hunts ballcarriers with a relentless intensity that rewrote the Ohio State record books. As the hard-hitting heart of Woody Hayes’ final great defenses, Cousineau transformed the linebacker position into a masterclass of pursuit and power. From his 211-tackle senior season in Columbus to his historic status as a number one overall draft pick, Cousineau dominated every field he stepped on. Discover the story of the “Ironman” linebacker who became a legend in the Big Ten and an MVP north of the border.
Football Bio
May 6, 1957 – Fairview Park, Ohio – Tom Cousineau, the Ohio State Buckeye linebacker from 1975 to 1978, was born.
The NFF says Tom was credited with 569 career tackles, which ranks second all-time at Ohio State. He still holds six school records, setting marks for single-season tackles and solo tackles during his senior campaign. When Cousineau left Ohio State, he was the school’s leader in nearly every tackling category! His coach was the legendary Woody Hayes, who saw his stud linebacker become a two-time consensus First Team All-American for the Buckeyes.
Tom Cousineau received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016. Cousineau was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, but he chose to play for Montreal of the Canadian Football League from 1979-82, earning the league’s Grey Cup MVP honor in 1979.
He would later return to the NFL, playing for the Cleveland Browns from 1982-85 and the San Francisco 49ers from 1986-87.
Conclusion
Tom Cousineau defines the standard for modern linebacker play through his unmatched diagnostic skills and explosive tackling. He leaves a legacy at Ohio State that few will ever touch, holding a vice grip on records for single-game and single-season productivity. By choosing his own path to the CFL and then returning to anchor the defense of his hometown Cleveland Browns, Cousineau proved that his talent transcends borders and leagues. He stands today as a 2016 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and an eternal icon of Buckeye toughness.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2016.
- NFL Draft History: Number 1 Overall Pick in the 1979 NFL Draft (Buffalo Bills).
- 2× Consensus First-Team All-American: 1977, 1978.
- Grey Cup MVP: 1979 (Montreal Alouettes).
- Ohio State Tackling Records: Holds the school record for most tackles in a single season (211) and a single game (29 vs. Penn State).
- 569 Career Tackles: Ranks second all-time in Ohio State history.
- 3× First-Team All-Big Ten: 1976, 1977, 1978.
- Orange Bowl MVP: 1977.
- NFL All-Rookie Team: 1982.
- Ohio State Varsity “O” Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1995.