Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 6 — Kenjon Barner
Since 2000, Oregon has compiled an overall record of 239-83 (.742), with just two losing seasons during that span. They've been to 24 bowl games, won three Rose Bowls, been to a pair of College Football Playoffs, and appeared in two National Championships. They've seen a Heisman Trophy winner in Marcus Mariota and had 99 players selected in the NFL Draft.
It's safe to say that when looking at the nation's best in this millennium, Oregon belongs in the conversation. But who are the players who helped get Nike University into that conversation? That's a different question entirely.
To celebrate the quarter-century mark, we're going to dive into that question over the next month as we approach the start of the 2025 season. The Ducks have had hundreds of memorable and beloved players over the years, many of whom will live on forever in some way.
But who is the best of the best?
That answer, of course, is subjective. When reviewing the numbers and conducting our research, we took several factors into account: career statistics, overall impact and success, legacy, fan adoration, and NFL success.
Boiling 25 years of Oregon football down to 25 players is no easy task, and not one that we took lightly. Dozens of players were left on the cutting room floor who deserve a spot in the top 25, and at some point, subtracting names off the list started to feel like pulling teeth. But in the end, we were left with 25 players, whom we will honor over the next few weeks.
If you want to catch up, let's take a look at how we've gotten to where we're at in the rankings:
Today, let's continue with No. 6 — the TD machine, Kenjon Barner.
Player Overview
Kenjon Barner will always be remembered in Oregon football history for his electrifying nature of play, as he was a threat to take it to the house on any given touch. Competing during head coach Chip Kelly's tenure with the Ducks, Barner was the perfect back to execute Kelly's breakneck speed offensive.
Barner's combination of quickness, contact balance and overall toughness led him to being considered one of the top running backs in all of college football at his peak. As the years have gone by, numerous running backs have donned the green and yellow; but Barner's legacy lives on as one of the most beloved players in Oregon football history.
Kenjon Barner's Career Stats
49 Games — 582 rushes, 3,623 yards, 48 TD
Kenjon Barner's Single Best Season
2012 — 278 rushes, 1,767 yards, 21 TD, 20 catches, 256 receiving yards, 2 TD
In 2012, Barner and De'Anthony Thomas formed one of the best backfield duos that college football has ever seen. They combined for 39 touchdowns, an unthinkable number in a 13-game season. Barner was the lead back, revealing himself as the perfect chess piece in Kelly's innovative scheme.
Barner's efforts earned him consensus All-American honors and led the way to a 12-win Ducks season, capping the year off with a convincing Fiesta Bowl victory over the Kansas State Wildcats. Barner led the way on the ground, rushing for 143 yards on 30 carries in his final collegiate game. This was also the season where Barner set records against the USC Trojans, rushing 38 times for 321 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Kenjon Barner's Historical Records
Kenjon Barner NFL Draft
The Carolina Panthers selected Barner in the sixth round with the 182nd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He joined fellow Duck Jonathan Stewart in the Panthers' backfield.
Kenjon Barner's NFL Success
Barner's nine-year career was spent with five different NFL franchises: the Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While his career rushing stats amounted to just 416 yards and three touchdowns, Barner was a key special teams ace, returning punts and kickoffs as well as being heavily involved in other special teams units. His last season was in 2021 with the Buccaneers, as he finished his career as a three-time Super Bowl champion.
Kenjon Barner's Lasting Legacy
While Barner's play on the field created countless memories for Duck fans, his lasting legacy involves the highest praise in all of sports: winner. Barner was a key piece on Oregon's 2011 national title runner-up team and had an All-American senior season in helping lead the Ducks to 12 victories, with his three Super Bowl rings in the pros just selling home the point even more. Barner's legacy is now living on in the media world as he carves out a career in the media world, working as a TV analyst and reporter for Big Ten Network.
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