Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 22 — Troy Dye
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. 22 — the great Troy Dye.
Player Overview
Troy Dye was not a huge prospect coming out of high school, but the buzz around his name quickly grew when he enrolled at Oregon. His talent was glaring when he took the field early on as a true freshman, leading the team in tackles and emerging as a force on the Ducks' defense.
The four-year starter was a fierce competitor who made a name for himself with his hard-hitting tackles and ability to diagnose plays in the backfield. The amount of time Dye spent integrating with the special community in Eugene, combined with the production he displayed, quickly turned him into a fan favorite and one of the most dominant Oregon defenders of the century.
Troy Dye Career Stats
50 Games — 397 tackles, 45 TFL, 15 sacks, 5 INT
Troy Dye Single Best Season
2017: 13 games – 107 tackles, 14 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery touchdown
The Ducks had a pretty poor year for their standards in 2017, but Dye was one of the lone bright spots as he exceeded 100 tackles for the first time in his collegiate career. The team did improve their record from 4-8 in Dye's Freshman campaign, however, showing that he was a vital contributor to the growing culture in Eugene at the time.
Troy Dye Historical Records
Dye ranks No. 4 on the list of all-time leading tacklers at Oregon with 397 over his four seasons with the program. He is also tied for fourth on the list of most tackles for loss in Ducks history with 44.
Troy Dye NFL Draft
Although he became one of the most accomplished defenders in Oregon history, Dye fell to the back end of the fourth round in the 2020 NFL draft, where the Minnesota Vikings selected him with the 132nd pick.
Troy Dye NFL Success
Dye didn't get much of an opportunity to prove himself in Minnesota with just four starts over his last three seasons there. So, he signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers last offseason, where he got a chance to truly shine.
The fourth-year linebacker made the most of his playing time and finished with 57 tackles to go along with two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He recently signed a two-year extension with the team, so Dye finally seems to be finding his footing in the NFL.
Troy Dye's Lasting Legacy
The Ducks were in the middle of a rare dry spell during Dye's tenure, so naturally, his intense, passionate play resonated with the fanbase. He may not have been the most talented or most accomplished player Oregon has ever had, but he went a long way towards building the culture that is in place with the program today. It's a shame Dye never got to witness the sustained winning the team in Eugene is experiencing now, but it would not be possible without his contributions.
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