The Spartan Sports Encyclopedia described him as "light, aggressive, a superb blocker and deadly tackler.

[4] At the end of the 1935 season, Wagner was recognized as a consensus All-American at the guard position after receiving first-team All-American designations from the United Press,[5] International News Service,[6] the New York Sun,[7] and Liberty Magazine (selected based on a poll of 1,521 varsity players in all parts of the country).

[8] In selecting him as a first-team All-American, the United Press wrote the following about Wagner: "Wagner is a ball hawk, a dependable leader of interference and rated by teammates and rivals as the fastest lineman today.

However, Detroit coach Potsy Clark announced a shakeup in his lineup in early November 1936, including the designation of Wagner as a starter in place of Sam Knox at left guard.

[15] However, in August 1939, Wagner announced his retirement from football, telling reporters that he intended to "devote all of his time to a promising career as an engineer.