re: Countdown to 2026 KICKOFF - 20 Days - Billy Cannon - The only LSU football retired number

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Young cornerback who continues to develop under the guidance of cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond … Enters third season with the Tigers in 2026 … In 2 years at LSU, has appeared in 11 games, including 7 as a redshirt freshman a year ago … 3 career tackles along with 2 pass breakups … Joined the Tigers from tradition-rich John Curtis High School in New Orleans where he starred on both sides of the ball … Redshirted as a true freshman in 2024 … Appeared in 4 games in 2024, recording 2 tackles … Majoring in interdisciplinary studies.

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2008 Class of the National College Football Hall of Fame Election | Induction
No. 1 Pick in the 1960 AFL Draft (Houston Oilers)
No. 1 Pick in the 1960 NFL Draft (Los Angeles Rams)
1976 Inducted Into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
1975 Inducted Into the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame
1959 No. 20 Jersey Retired by LSU Football
1959 Heisman Trophy Winner (Downtown Athletic Club of New York)
1959 AP Player of the Year
1959 UPI Player of the Year
1959 The Sporting News Player of the Year
1959 All-American (consensus)
1959 Outstanding College Player (Columbus, Ohio Touchdown Club)
1959 Walter Camp Memorial Trophy (Washington, D.C. TD Club)
1959 College Back of the Year (Los Angeles Times)
1959 AP Back of the Year
1959 UPI Back of the Year
1959 SEC Player of the Year (Nashville Banner)
1959 SEC Player of the Year (Atlanta Touchdown Club)
1958 UPI Player of the Year
1958 The Sporting News Player of the Year
1958 Outstanding College Player (Columbus, Ohio Touchdown Club)
1958 AP Back of the Year
1958 UPI Back of the Year
1958 All-American (consensus)
1958 SEC Player of theYear (Nashville Banner)
1958 SEC Back of the Year (Atlanta Touchdown Club)
1958 SEC Back of the Year (Birmingham Touchdown Club)
1958 All-SEC (AP and UPI)
1958 Louisiana VFW Award (Louisiana outstanding athlete)
1957 Second-Team All-SEC (UPI)
1957 All-SEC Sophomore Team

COLLEGE CAREER
Even by modern standards, Billy Cannon was a rare athlete, combining sprinter speed with brute strength … Cannon could consistently run a 9.5 in the 100-yard dash and, at 6-1, 210 pounds, he had the size to overpower his opponents as well as outrun them … In 1957, he was an immediate standout as a sophomore, offensively and defensively … As a junior, Cannon was the driving force behind the Fighting Tigers as they carved out a perfect season and captured the 1958 national championship … He passed for a touchdown and kicked the extra point in LSU’s 7-0 win over Clemson in the Sugar Bowl, and earned MVP honors … cannon’s most memorable performance came in 1959 against Ole Miss … Top-ranked LSU trailed the third-ranked Rebels 3-0 early in the fourth quarter, when Cannon fielded a punt at the LSU 11-yard-line and broke seven tackles on his way to paydirt … LSU won the contest 7-3 … Considered one of the best collegiate backs of his era …Was awarded the Heisman Trophy at the conclusion of the 1959 season … He was given virtually every honor that could be bestowed on an individual, including All-America accolades in 1958 and 1959 … Cannon was considered almost as valuable on defense as he was on offense … His 89-yard punt return in 1959 against Ole Miss has become a gridiron legend, but few remember that he and Warren Rabb stuffed Ole Miss at the goal line of a fourth and inches to preserve the dramatic 7-3 victory … A three-year letterwinner for the Tigers (1957-59), he was also a two-time first-team All-SEC selection (1958-59) … He went on to have a superb nine-year career in the AFL with the Houston Oilers and the Oakland Raiders … Ended his professional football career in 1970 with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.

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