We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.
No. 62 Jim Parker
In the words of the legendary Woody Hayes, Jim Parker was "everything an offensive lineman should be.”
OG Jim Parker
1954-56
b. April. 3, 1934 (Macon, Georgia)
- National Champion (1954)
- Big Ten Champion (1954, 55)
- First Team All-American (1955, 56)
- Outland Trophy winner (1956)
- 8th in Heisman voting (1956)
A three-year starter, Parker is to this day remembered as not only one of the top interior linemen ever to play at Ohio State, but one of the top guards in college football history.
During his first year as a starter in 1954, Parker helped lead the Buckeyes to Hayes' first national title. The following year, he blocked for Heisman Trophy winner Howard Cassady and was named an All-American himself by the Football Writers Association of America.
His senior season was his most dominant. Parker became Ohio State's first-ever Outland Trophy winner and was a unanimous All-American selection. That season, he finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Following his time at Ohio State, Parker went on to have a fine professional career. He was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Colts where he won two super bowls and was named to the Pro Bowl eight times.
Parker was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
Photo: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics
