Hall of Fame
Signed as a defensive back out of high school, Jim Hever permanently etched his name into NCAA football lore by becoming one of top collegiate placekickers of his generation. A two-year letter-winner for Jesuit on the gridiron, Hever also earned multiple letter awards in wrestling and golf. Following his senior football season, Hever was named all-district and all-state, although his prowess as a defensive standout shifted to special teams after being signed by Rhodes College.
During his tenure with the Lynx, Hever twice led the nation in field goals made, while in 1984 he finished the year as the NCAA Division III leader in field goal accuracy. A two-time Pizza Hut First Team All-American, he was also awarded a spot on the 1985 Division II/III Kodak All-American Team. Hever racked up First Team All-College Athletic Conference accolades as a placekicker each of his four years at Rhodes. During his senior year he made 23 out of 23 extra points and 14 out of 16 field goals inside 50 yards, but his most notable achievement was setting an NCAA record with six field goals in one game.
In September 1984, Hever put on a show for the ages as he connected on six kicks, including three over 40 yards, en route to an NCAA Division III record 20 points. Hever, who signed as a free agent with the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League following graduation, was inducted into the Rhodes College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.
