A JC All-American First Team selection, defensive lineman Jim Wilks figured prominently in helping the PCC football team win the 1977 state, national and Junior Rose Bowl titles. Wilks was named Metropolitan Conference Defensive Player of the Year as the Lancers went 11-1. After earning a scholarship to play at San Diego State, Wilks was a 12th round choice by the New Orleans Saints in the 1981 NFL Draft. Wilks proved to be one of the best late picks in Saints history. He played 13 seasons in New Orleans and finished with 45.5 sacks and is fifth in the franchise's history in games played at 183. A nose tackle, he was part of a defense that led the NFL under Coach Jim Mora as the Saints reached the playoffs four times from 1987-1992. Wilks was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2001, the same year he entered PCC's Hall of Fame.

Wilks on one of his most memorable games: “We had a chance to have our first winning season and first playoff appearance on Dec. 18, 1983 with the Rams in town. The crowd was great. It was so loud in the ‘Dome. We outplayed them but lost on a last second field goal by Mike Lansford. I played junior college ball with Lansford and I wanted to smash him.” Lansford is also a member of the PCC Sports Hall of Fame.