Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Mourns the Loss of J.R. Dillard
August 10, 2021 | Cowboy Football, General
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football program is mourning the loss of former tight end J.R. Dillard, who died Sunday in Tulsa.
Dillard, who was 56 years old, was part of the OSU program from 1983-87, a time frame in which the Cowboys won 42 games and went to four bowl games.
After a redshirt year in 1983, Dillard went on to become a formidable force in the Oklahoma State offense as both a blocker and as a receiver. He finished his career with 56 catches for 531 yards and five touchdowns, including go-ahead scores against Missouri and West Virginia during his senior year.
In his first college season, Dillard recorded three catches for 34 yards as a redshirt freshman. He followed that with the best numbers of his career as a sophomore, hauling in 22 grabs for 197 yards and two scores. His junior season ended with 190 yards and a touchdown on 18 receptions and his senior numbers included 13 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
An all-state high school player in Cleveland, Oklahoma, Dillard came to Oklahoma State after captaining both his football and basketball teams as a high school senior. He was a two-way football player in high school who was heavily recruited.
After his time at Oklahoma State, Dillard played briefly in the Canadian Football League. He was born February 19, 1965, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and was the son of Jim Dillard, who was a standout in the Oklahoma State backfield from 1959-61 before becoming a CFL all-star.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow.
Dillard, who was 56 years old, was part of the OSU program from 1983-87, a time frame in which the Cowboys won 42 games and went to four bowl games.
After a redshirt year in 1983, Dillard went on to become a formidable force in the Oklahoma State offense as both a blocker and as a receiver. He finished his career with 56 catches for 531 yards and five touchdowns, including go-ahead scores against Missouri and West Virginia during his senior year.
In his first college season, Dillard recorded three catches for 34 yards as a redshirt freshman. He followed that with the best numbers of his career as a sophomore, hauling in 22 grabs for 197 yards and two scores. His junior season ended with 190 yards and a touchdown on 18 receptions and his senior numbers included 13 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
An all-state high school player in Cleveland, Oklahoma, Dillard came to Oklahoma State after captaining both his football and basketball teams as a high school senior. He was a two-way football player in high school who was heavily recruited.
After his time at Oklahoma State, Dillard played briefly in the Canadian Football League. He was born February 19, 1965, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and was the son of Jim Dillard, who was a standout in the Oklahoma State backfield from 1959-61 before becoming a CFL all-star.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow.
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