Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 3 — Justin Herbert
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:
No. 25 — Bucky Irving
No. 24 — TJ Ward
No. 23 — Tez Johnson
No. 22 — Troy Dye
No. 21 — Samie Parker
No. 20 — Patrick Chung
No. 19 — Kayvon Thibodeaux
No. 18 — Troy Franklin
No. 17 — Nick Reed
No. 16 — Jairus Byrd
No. 15 — Jeff Maehl
No. 14 — Walter Thurmond III
No. 13 — Bo Nix
No. 12 — Penei Sewell
No. 11 — DeForest Buckner
No. 10 — Joey Harrington
No. 9 — Dennis Dixon
No. 8 — Jonathan Stewart
No. 7 — De'Anthony Thomas
No. 6 — Kenjon Barner
No. 5 — Haloti Ngata
No. 4 — Royce Freeman
Today, let's continue with No. 3 — the Hometown Hero, Justin Herbert
Player Overview
A carousel of elite quarterbacks has passed through Eugene over the past couple of decades, but few have had as significant an impact as Justin Herbert. He didn't post the most incredible statistics from season to season, but the totality of his collegiate career is what made him so special to the Ducks.
In 2016, Herbert became the first true freshman to start for Oregon in nearly 30 years, taking over as one of the lone bright spots on one of the worst Ducks teams of the century. He would help improve the team's record in each of his four years on his way to establishing himself as an Oregon legend, winning a Rose Bowl before going to the NFL and becoming one of the best passers in the league.
Justin Herbert's Career Stats
44 Games - 10,541, 95 TD, 23 INT
Justin Herbert's Single Best Season
2019 – 14 Games, 3,471 yards, 32 TD, 6 INT
All the obstacles Herbert faced through his first three years culminated in a masterpiece of a senior season. Not only did he have the best statistical season of his career, but he also led the Ducks to a 12-2 record and a thrilling one-point victory in the Rose Bowl over the Wisconsin Badgers.
Herbert's arm talent and efficiency in the passing game during this season cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in Oregon history.
Justin Herbert's Historical Records
Justin Herbert NFL Draft
Herbert's senior season solidified his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the class, being picked No. 6 overall in the 2020 draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Justin Herbert's NFL Success
His career began at a feverish pace, becoming one of the fastest quarterbacks in NFL history to reach 100 passing touchdowns and 10,000 yards. His stats have deflated in the past couple years due to a change in offensive philosophy, but Herbert is still widely viewed as one of the most talented passers of this era.
He hasn't been able to find his footing in the playoffs just yet, but at just 27 years old, the Chargers star has ample time to improve his already impressive legacy.
Justin Herbert's Lasting Legacy
There are some quarterbacks in Oregon's history with better individual seasons than Herbert, but very few have chiseled out the complete body of work that he has. The hometown hero started in each of his four years with the Ducks and left Eugene as arguably the most accomplished quarterback to play there.
Being near the top of multiple all-time Oregon statistical categories and two bowl game wins makes Herbert one of the most essential Ducks in program history, and his connection to the town, growing up in Eugene and going to Sheldon High School, makes his case as one of the greats even stronger.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. will miss the coming season after an MRI confirmed that he ruptured an Achilles tendon. Coach Kevin Stefanski said before Wednesday's practice that Emerson will have surgery, but a date has not been determined. 'It's disappointing. Injuries are the worst part of our game, but he will bounce back, I know what he is made of,' Stefanski said. 'Yesterday was a lot. He is sore today.' Emerson, a third-round draft pick in 2022, got hurt while covering a wide receiver during a 7-on-7 drill Tuesday. He dropped to the ground in pain and screamed before being carted off the field with a towel covering his head. He has 202 tackles, four interceptions, a fumble recovery and sack in three seasons. His loss is another blow to a Cleveland defense looking to rebound from a poor season and already short-handed with linebackers Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck injury) and Jordan Hicks (retired) ruled out. With Emerson out, Greg Newsome likely will move into the No. 2 corner spot opposite Pro Bowler Denzel Ward. Both Emerson and Newsome also played some nickel back, covering slot receivers. Cameron Mitchell would be the top candidate for full-time nickel duties. ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
Everything Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. said after Day 6 of training camp
Here's everything Houston Texans All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. said following Day 6 of NFL training camp, including his thoughts on rookie Jaylin Smith, expectations for the upcoming season and how linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair could be the most improved defensive player this fall. Question: What's next after an All-Pro season last year Derek Stingley Jr.: 'Really the goal is just be better than last year. So, whatever comes with that.' Q: On how he accomplishes that Stingley: 'The same process, just going out and trying to make sure that I'm better than the day before. Or if I'm working on my feet one day, just making sure that that looks good or my hands, on my eyes, or anything like that.' Q: On the addition of S C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the secondary Stingley: 'He adds a whole other level to the defense. He fits in. He's going to fly around, he's going to talk, he's going to dance and do all that. He's a good piece to the defense, I'm glad he's here.' Q: On if that attitude is contagious for the rest of the secondary Stingley: 'Yeah. We all feed off each other, so it's good energy.' On if that's different from coming into Training Camp this year or is it the same Stingley: 'No, it's the same. As long as you're working, you shouldn't…you should be all right.' Q: On what he's seen from CB Jaylin Smith and how he's helping him like former Texans CB Steven Nelson helped him Stingley: 'Shout out to my dog, Steven [Nelson]. 'J-Rock' is going to make a lot of plays. Every day he does something and it's like, 'All right, you moving around, you making plays.' But he's smart. You don't have to say something to him more than once, really. He knows the whole defense already, every position. So, it's just cool to see him just being a player that he is.' Q: On if he feels like a veteran Stingley: 'A little bit. Sometimes I'm looking and I'm just like, 'Oh, that's crazy. I'm older than all of them.' Q: On how he expects opposing teams to attack him Stingley: 'I don't expect a quiet [game] or a lot. I can't really go into a game thinking like that. The season's a long way away. But I'm just going into every game the same, just do my job.' Q: On what it's been like to get to know S C.J. Gardner-Johnson rather than hear about his reputation around the league Stingley: 'There's a narrative about him, from people that don't know him, whatever you assume that narrative is. But he's a great person. He just loves football. He's going to go out there, he's going to compete every single day. He's going to pay attention. He's going to talk in meetings, express what he thinks about a certain play or something. Then we're just going to talk about it. I don't know. He's a great guy. So, I don't know.' Q: On how he's able to take himself away from individual accolades and make them team accolades Stingley: 'I wouldn't be anywhere without the team. Everybody has to help each other in order for stuff like that to happen. Like, we make plays as a group. We just got to trust and have that chemistry that the player next to you is going to do what he has to do.' Q: On if he sees differences in CB Kamari Lassiter going into Year 2 Stingley: 'From the outside looking in, it looks like the game has slowed down a lot for him. He knows what to expect through the course of a day, through camp or even within a play. Once he sees certain things, he knows that he can trust his eyes because he's seen it at this point a lot of times. So, it's cool to see him get comfortable out there.' Q: On what he loves about gaming Stingley: 'The NCAAs and the Maddens, it's just football. You get to exploit a whole bunch of coverages, especially if you're going against somebody like [Jalen] Pitre who doesn't know how to play Madden that well, you just practice. So, it's just more practice.' Q: On LB Azeez Al-Shaair joining the defensive backs for their workout in Puerto Rico Stingley: 'It was good. We had a lot of fun out there. We had good work. Seeing him move around, it's crazy because obviously you could tell that he's a linebacker because he's swole, but he's moving around just like the defensive backs that were out there. I think it was good off-season work.' Q: On if he sees it paying off now Stingley: 'Yeah. He's going to catch all of them now.'
USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
Alabama trio named to preseason watch list for college football award
One of college football's premier individual honors, three Alabama Crimson Tide football players have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Outland Trophy. Each of those players come along Alabama's offensive line in center Parker Brailsford, right guard Jaeden Roberts, and left tackle Kadyn Proctor. Announced on Tuesday, Alabama was tied with Oregon as the lone programs to see three players listed. With all three returning starters at their respective positions, Brailsford will be entering his redshirt junior season in 2025, while Roberts will be a redshirt senior. Proctor, who is one of Alabama's top NFL draft prospects entering the season, is a junior who be starting for the third consecutive year at left tackle. Awarded annually to the nation's top lineman, both offensive and defensive, Alabama has won the Outland Trophy a total of six times previously. A majority of those have been offensive linemen in Chris Samuels (1999), Andre Smith (2008), Barrett Jones (2011), Cam Robinson (2016), and Alex Leatherwood (2020), while the lone defensive player to win the award was Quinnen Williams back in 2018. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
