Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 8 — Jonathan Stewart
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
Today, let's continue with No. 8 —Jonathan Stewart
Player Overview
At a time when defensive recruits dominated the headlines for Oregon, Jonathan Stewart was the crown jewel of the offense. The Ducks landed him after a strenuous recruiting battle with other college football juggernauts, and he gave them serious return on investment. With multiple First-Team All-American selections in his three year run in Eugene, Stewart is one of the most decorated players in Ducks history.
Jonathan Stewart's Career Stats
516 rushes, 2,891 yards, 31 TD
Jonathan Stewart's Single Best Season
2007 — 13 Games, 280 rushes, 1,722 yards, 11 TD
The star running back showed drastic improvement in each of his three seasons at Oregon, but the 2007 campaign was his magnum opus. He posted a collegiate career high in every major rushing and receiving statistic, while also earning First-Team All-American honors.
To cap off the historic season, Stewart helped the Ducks win the Sun Bowl to complete one of the most impressive single seasons for any Duck in history.
Jonathan Stewart's Historical Records
Jonathan Stewart NFL Draft
The 2007 season thrust Stewart into the national spotlight, which helped him secure an incredible draft slot as the Carolina Panthers selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Jonathan Stewart's NFL Success
Stewart turned out to be a solid NFL player, but he never reached the heights he did with the Ducks. His career was plagued by injuries, he only eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark once.
Jonathan Stewart's Lasting Legacy
Besides a few blips on the radar last century, Oregon never had many elite running backs before Stewart. However, since his departure from the program, the team finds another star halfback seemingly every season. Stewart will forever be remembered as one of the key contributors in turning the Ducks into a prime destination for offensive stars as well.
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