The University of Akron Athletics
Hall of Fame
Joe Myers
- Induction:
- 2015
- Class:
- 1983
1979-82
Defensive Tackle
It is rare for a freshman in football to become a starter his first year but, Joseph T. Myers, Jr., did it in 1979. The former Stow High School athlete went onto to letter in football for four years as a defensive lineman from 1979-82.
Myers was credited with 10 solo and two assisted tackles his first season under head coach Jim Dennison.
Prior to the 1980 campaign, Myers picked up 10 pounds and improved his strength in an effort to keep in the starting lineup. According to Dennison, Myers “had a wealth of untapped potential and could play at all three down lineman positions.”
The 6-4, 245-pound Myers became a three-year starter at tackle and was selected the team’s most outstanding sophomore when he compiled 58 tackles, including nine for losses of 38 yards.
While UA was winning five of 10 games in 1981, Myers was the second-best interior lineman with a career-high 66 tackles, 35 solo and 31 assists. He also added one tipped pass and one fumble recovery. Myers was graded outstanding in seven games and earned special praise from his coaches for his performance in the Zips’ 20-19 upset of nationally fourth-ranked Murray State.
Myers entered his senior season as the most experienced down lineman and his fourth year as UA’s starting wide side tackle. That experience was displayed with a team-leading and career best 11 tackles for 27 yards in losses which included six quarterback sacks, three coming in the Eastern Kentucky loss. He was also voted the most outstanding defensive player in the 20-19 upset of Youngstown State. For the season he accumulated a career-high 38 solo tackles and 23 assisted tackles, knocked down three passes and recovered a fumble during UA’s 6-5 winning campaign. Needless to say, his performance earned him recognition from his coaches for his outstanding play throughout the 1982 season. However, Myers’ greatest honor of his career came from the OVC coaches who voted him first-team All-Conference and then the Associated Press placed him on its All-America Honorable Mention list.
As a senior in 1982, Myers had 61 tackles and a team-leading 11 tackles for loss. For the consecutive year, he was awarded Thumper Club honors for outstanding performance throughout the season. In addition, Myers earned first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference and honorable mention All-America honors as UA compiled a 5-2 OVC record for a second-place finish to undefeated Eastern Kentucky.
Although he is the 104th football player inducted into this Hall of Fame, he is only the fifth player that was strictly a defensive down lineman to be honored. Myers now joins Dave Holian ’94, Allan Hodakievic ’90, Dave Arango ’95 and Wayne Grant ’97 on that significant list, as well as 10 other Hall of Fame teammates he played with over his four years.
He graduated from UA in 1983.
Defensive Tackle
It is rare for a freshman in football to become a starter his first year but, Joseph T. Myers, Jr., did it in 1979. The former Stow High School athlete went onto to letter in football for four years as a defensive lineman from 1979-82.
Myers was credited with 10 solo and two assisted tackles his first season under head coach Jim Dennison.Prior to the 1980 campaign, Myers picked up 10 pounds and improved his strength in an effort to keep in the starting lineup. According to Dennison, Myers “had a wealth of untapped potential and could play at all three down lineman positions.”
The 6-4, 245-pound Myers became a three-year starter at tackle and was selected the team’s most outstanding sophomore when he compiled 58 tackles, including nine for losses of 38 yards.
While UA was winning five of 10 games in 1981, Myers was the second-best interior lineman with a career-high 66 tackles, 35 solo and 31 assists. He also added one tipped pass and one fumble recovery. Myers was graded outstanding in seven games and earned special praise from his coaches for his performance in the Zips’ 20-19 upset of nationally fourth-ranked Murray State.
Myers entered his senior season as the most experienced down lineman and his fourth year as UA’s starting wide side tackle. That experience was displayed with a team-leading and career best 11 tackles for 27 yards in losses which included six quarterback sacks, three coming in the Eastern Kentucky loss. He was also voted the most outstanding defensive player in the 20-19 upset of Youngstown State. For the season he accumulated a career-high 38 solo tackles and 23 assisted tackles, knocked down three passes and recovered a fumble during UA’s 6-5 winning campaign. Needless to say, his performance earned him recognition from his coaches for his outstanding play throughout the 1982 season. However, Myers’ greatest honor of his career came from the OVC coaches who voted him first-team All-Conference and then the Associated Press placed him on its All-America Honorable Mention list.
As a senior in 1982, Myers had 61 tackles and a team-leading 11 tackles for loss. For the consecutive year, he was awarded Thumper Club honors for outstanding performance throughout the season. In addition, Myers earned first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference and honorable mention All-America honors as UA compiled a 5-2 OVC record for a second-place finish to undefeated Eastern Kentucky.
Although he is the 104th football player inducted into this Hall of Fame, he is only the fifth player that was strictly a defensive down lineman to be honored. Myers now joins Dave Holian ’94, Allan Hodakievic ’90, Dave Arango ’95 and Wayne Grant ’97 on that significant list, as well as 10 other Hall of Fame teammates he played with over his four years.
He graduated from UA in 1983.
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