John Carroll University Athletics

Scott O’Donnell was one of the most decorated football players on the defensive side of the ball in the history of the John Carroll program at the time of his graduation. 

In 1996, O’Donnell became the first John Carroll football player to earn the Paul Hoernemann Award as Most Valuable Defensive Lineman in the OAC. In 1995 and 1996, he was voted by the league head coaches to the All-OAC First Team.

O’Donnell earned many national honors as well.  He was named Football Gazette National Division III Defensive Lineman of the Year and an All-American for Football Gazette and Hewlett-Packard in 1996.

In all four of the seasons in which he played and started for the Blue Streaks as a defensive end, O’Donnell led the team in sacks.  He remains the school record holder for the most sacks in a game (5.0 on twice), season (19.0 in 1996), and career (48.5).  In 1994, he helped lead the team to a share of the OAC title. 

The JCU football record with O’Donnell as a starter was 30-8-2.