We stand 61 days away from the beginning of the 2018 season for Florida State football. As part of the offseason, we’re doing a countdown that highlights players, games, and specific moments from FSU football history.
On Tuesday, it was former FSU head coach Bill Peterson winning 62 games during his time at the program.
Today, it’s former defensive lineman Jack Shinholser, who wore No. 61 at FSU and earned a reputation as an intense defender.
Shinholser was another local product out of Tampa who had gained considerable hype as a linebacker in high school. Shortly after arriving on campus in 1962, Shinholser switched to the defensive line despite being just a little over 200 pounds.
It didn’t matter for Shinholser. Starting in his sophomore season of 1963, Shinholser became a mainstay on the line and earned a reputation for his ferocious style. In fact, he earned the nickname “The Wrecker” after showing a propensity for big hits and relentless pursuit.
The raw numbers are a bit of mystery, as many games from Shinholser’s junior and senior years are missing stats. But the various news clippings and articles describing his game make it clear how disruptive of a player he was. Highlights include his game against Virginia Tech in 1964, where he racked up an assumed career-high 18 tackles.
Later that season, he turned in another masterful performance against the Florida Gators, sacking Steve Spurrier twice and causing a forced fumble at the goal line. He was named National Lineman of the Week after that contest and the Outstanding Lineman of the Gator Bowl victory over Oklahoma to conclude the 1964 season.
His 1965 season was when national publications began recognizing him. Shinholser recorded the third most tackles for FSU and was named to an All-American team by the Associated Press and the United Press International. While the team itself was mediocre, the defense was a stingy group thanks in large part to Shinholser anchoring the line.
Shinholser would go on to get selected in the ninth round of the 1966 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He was elected into the FSU Hall of Fame in 2007.
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