Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 14 — Walter Thurmond III
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?
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle
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. 15 — Walter Thurmond III
Player Overview
Walter Thurmond III's time with Oregon was very similar to Jairus Byrd, his teammate and fellow member of the D-Boyz. While he did not have a star ranking, he shined in high school as a two-sport star who was considered one of the fastest players in the state of California. Thurmond would immediately show the college world why they were foolish to pass over him, becoming a star with the Ducks.
Walter Thurmond III Career Stats
41 Games — 253 tackles, 13 TFL, 12 INT, 3 TD
Single Best Season
13 Games — 103 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 INT, 2 TD
The star defensive back was productive during his entire college career, but his best work was done in his sophomore season. This is where the comparisons to Byrd begin, as Thurmond demonstrated excellent versatility in 2007, showcasing his impact in the tackling department, creating turnovers, and even scoring points himself.
Historical Stats and Records
Walter Thurmond III NFL Draft
Thurmond's final two seasons in Eugene were injury-riddled, which tanked his draft stock considerably, falling to the fourth round where the Seattle Seahawks selected him with the 111th overall pick.
Walter Thurmond III NFL Success
Sadly, the success he had with the Ducks did not translate to the NFL as Thurmond retired after just six seasons. The one thing that did follow him to the next level was the injury bug, which is a major contributor as to why his professional career sputtered.
Thurmond recorded just 160 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 3 sacks. But, the vast majority of those numbers were recorded in his final season, so his career ended with bubbling optimism.
Walter Thurmond III's Lasting Legacy
Walter Thurmond III is a name that could one day be lost in the annals of NFL history, but that can never nullify the impact he had at Oregon. He arrived on the scene at a time when a ton of other talented defenders peppered the Ducks roster and helped foster the culture that is in place today. One of the members of the legendary D-Boyz, Thurmond signifies a period of supremacy and defensive dominance that the people of Oregon will always carry with them.
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
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Get ready for Yahoo's 28 Days of Fantasy
In honor of the 28th season of Yahoo hosting fantasy football - take a sneak peek at what's coming for managers this fall. Celebrate the next evolution of Yahoo Fantasy Football - beginning August 4th.
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
Sam Darnold makes the top 100 NFL ranking list at No. 72
Former USC Trojan Sam Darnold has not been a fan favorite within the NFL media community. Many analysts have viewed his season last year as a one-hit wonder unlikely to be replicated. The players in the NFL however viewed Darnold differently; he was ranked among the top 100 players by his NFL peers. NFL Network's Christian Gonzales broke down this week's rankings for the top 100 players, going through 80-71. He gave his analysis on every selection including Sam Darnold. "In his lone season with the Vikings, Darnold proved he could be a top quarterback in the right situation. Darnold produced career numbers across the board in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage, leading to his first Pro Bowl nod in his one-year stop in Minnesota. In the offseason, Darnold elected to move on from the Viking as he signed a three-year, $100 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. He'll get a chance to showcase that his 2024 emergence wasn't just a one-year wonder," Gonzales wrote. Gonzales also provided NFL Pro Insight's analytics: "Sam Darnold had a career year with the Vikings in 2024, throwing for 1,023 yards on deep passes (20+ air yards), over 150 more than any other quarterback. Darnold also led the NFL in deep completions (28) and tied for the most deep TD passes (9)." This has to be a reassuring feeling for Darnold that his peers view him on a higher level than the NFL media and analysts. The season Darnold had last year deserves great recognition, and it shouldn't be met by analysts saying Darnold was the riskiest signing of 2025. This is well-deserved for Darnold. He can use this as momentum for another season worthy of his talent.
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
Ravens training camp: One player to watch at several critical positions
With the first practice set to begin, we're looking at 11 key Baltimore Ravens players to watch at critical positions. The Baltimore Ravens are less than three days away from having rookies and select veterans report to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of training camp 2025. John Harbaugh's team is loaded on offense with arguably the best quarterback, running back, and potentially the top center in the NFL. With the first practice set to begin, we're looking at 11 key Baltimore Ravens players to watch at critical positions. DE Broderick Washington Washington is more of a defensive tackle than he is a pass rusher, but his presence is needed on a retooled Ravens defense that has elite talent in the secondary. Washington logged 21 tackles (nine solo), including 2.0 sacks, during 15 regular-season appearances (five starts) with Baltimore in 2024. He also had two passes defensed and one forced fumble. RB Rasheen Ali Ali, a 2024 fifth-round pick out of Marshall, didn't see much playing time in his rookie season, recording 10 carries for 31 yards across six regular-season appearances. Baltimore didn't draft a running back and only has four players on the roster at the position. Henry is an All-Pro, Justice Hill is a solid No. 2 running back, and Keaton Mitchell provides a home run threat. Ali needs a strong training camp to warrant the Ravens carrying three running backs. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle OLB Adisa Isaac Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh are the unquestioned starters, but the Ravens are hoping 2024 third-round pick Adisa Isaac can take the next step. Isaac saw action in four games and played 32 defensive snaps, as his NFL debut was delayed by a hamstring issue, which sidelined him for the Ravens' first two games. DB Sanoussi Kane Kane is a thumper who also stood out on defense in the preseason last summer. According to Pro Football Focus, he did not allow a single reception on 30 coverage snaps, produced a coverage grade of 73.4, and recorded a forced incompletion and a tackle for loss. RB Keaton Mitchell Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell says he feels better than he did three years ago. As a rookie, Mitchell led all running backs with at least a dozen attempts in yards per carry (8.4 avg), and he has set personal records in all of his speed tracking analytics this offseason. DB T.J. Tampa Tampa only played seven games in his 2024 rookie campaign season. Hampered by an ankle injury that plagued him since Oct. 24, the former Iowa State star couldn't contribute in his first year, but he offers height, length, speed, and physicality. TE Isaiah Likely Likely caught four of five targets for 73 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' 27-25 divisional-round loss to the Bills. An ascending player who could be the most dynamic weapon on offense, Likely recorded 126 receiving yards during the playoffs, and he had a career-best 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. Likely will play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, but a Pro Bowl could be in the cards. OL Roger Rosengarten Rosengarten was the ninth tackle selected in last April's NFL draft, and he earned a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team. Rosengarten and No. 5-overall pick Joe Alt of the Los Angeles Chargers were the all-rookie offensive tackles. After alternating snaps in the first three weeks, Rosengarten took over as the Ravens' starting right tackle in Week 4 and never looked back, starting 16 games (including the playoffs). Among offensive tackles who played at least 50% of the snaps, Rosengarten ranked No. 39 at his position, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He was credited with four sacks allowed in 488 pass-blocking snaps. OLB Odafe Oweh Oweh has yet to make the Pro Bowl, but that could change this season. Oweh, who added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason, is the Ravens' player most likely to be a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025. Last year, the former first-round pick had the most productive year of his career, logging ten sacks while recording 23 quarterback hits, 12 quarterback knockdowns, and 28 pressures. DB Malaki Starks A Swiss army knife who has already taken on a leadership role, Starks will be a Day 1 starter and will have plenty of opportunities to make his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Starks played three seasons for the Bulldogs, recording 197 total tackles, 17 pass deflections, and six interceptions in his collegiate career. In the 2024 season, he had 77 total tackles, four for loss, and one interception. He was an All-American in 2023. OLB Mike Green (Rookie) Last season, as a redshirt sophomore at Marshall, Green led the FBS in sacks (17.0), tackles for loss (22.5), sack yardage (144), and tackles by a defensive lineman (84). His 17 sacks established a new Sun Belt Conference record. Green was the most productive edge rusher by sacks in college football in 2024, and the Ravens acquired a player who should contribute immediately off the edge with his burst and violence.
