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USA Today
25-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 7 — De'Anthony Thomas
Over the last 25 years, the Oregon Ducks have been one of the single best teams in all of college football, sitting near the top of the sport for the better part of a quarter-century. 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. 7 — The Black Mamba, De'Anthony Thomas. Player Overview When De'Anthony Thomas dropped his commitment to USC and came to Oregon, it signified the first recruiting battle the Ducks won over the Trojans on this magnitude. It was major news when he flipped on signing day. The Trojans envisioned DAT as the next Reggie Bush and it was a major blow to their program when he came to Eugene. As it turned out, he was the perfect player for Chip Kelly's offense. It could be said DAT was the most electrifying player in Oregon history. Every time he touched the ball, whether it was as a running back, a receiver, or a kick returner, there was always a good chance he would take it to the house. DAT was a video game in real life and it was a blast to watch. De'Anthony Thomas' Career Stats 2011-13: 243 rushes, 1,890 yards (7.8 ypc), 26 TD, 113 catches, 1,296 yards (11.5 ypc), 15 TD, 25.8 yards per KO return, 4 TD, 17.1 yards per punt return, 1 TD De'Anthony Thomas' Single Best Season 2012 — 13 Games, 92 carries, 701 yards (7.6 ypc), 11 TD, 45 catches, 445 yards, 5 TD, 24.3 yards per kick return, 1 TD, 13 punt returns, 222 yards, 17.1 ypr DAT became more of a fixture in the Oregon offense his sophomore season and the production shows. He was more of a plug-and-play type guy his freshman season as the Ducks were still trying to figure out how to maximize his talents. However, in 2012, everything came together, including a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the Fiesta Bowl, which set the tone for the entire game in a 35-17 win over Kansas State. De'Anthony Thomas' Historical Records De'Anthony Thomas NFL Draft Thomas was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. De'Anthony Thomas' NFL Success DAT played six seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Chiefs. He ended the 2019 season with the Baltimore Ravens. However, he never really made the type of impact in the NFL as he did in Eugene. Injuries also slowed him down some and speed was a major factor in his game. In total, he played in 69 games and scored four touchdowns in his career. De'Anthony Thomas' Lasting Legacy Thomas was a product of his time and was exactly what Chip Kelly needed for his offense —a do-everything hybrid player who was just emerging on the scene in college football. If Thomas was playing now, college football teams would be lining up with the NIL money waiting to throw his way. Oregon and USC had often fought over recruits in the Southern California area, but Thomas shocked the world when he flipped. It was a huge off-the-field win for the Ducks, a trend that keeps on going to this day. 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.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
10 Oregon Ducks who'd be instant stars in Olympic Flag Football
10 Oregon Ducks who'd be instant stars in Olympic Flag Football We've known for a while that flag football was coming to the Olympics in 2028 for the Los Angeles Games, but on Tuesday, it was officially approved to allow current NFL players to participate in the games as well. This means that the top football players in the world, from Justin Jefferson and Christian McCaffrey to Tyreek Hill and Patrick Surtain, can all compete for a gold medal in a couple of years. This got us thinking about which Oregon Ducks could be in the mix. There are dozens of former Ducks on NFL rosters after the 2025 NFL draft, and by the time 2028 is here, that number should only grow. So, will any of them be in the mix? What about former Ducks who are no longer in the NFL? It's a fun thought experiment to go through, so let's break it all down. Here are the 10 current or former Oregon Ducks who we believe would excel on the Olympic stage in flag football. De'Anthony Thomas This feels like the most straightforward answer on the board. While DAT may be small, it doesn't matter much when nobody can touch you. In his years at Oregon, Thomas revolutionized the offense. He became one of the biggest highlight-makers in the nation, and his legacy lives on to this day, with videos of him juking defenders out of their shoes circulating every year. While his NFL career didn't pan out, you can't convince me that De'Anthony, in his prime, would not be a dominant force on the Olympic flag football team. Devon Allen Devon Allen is often in the mix to participate in the Olympics on the track, but I think he could also make a run at things — no pun intended — on the gridiron. With his elite speed out wide, Allen could separate from defenders and act as the home-run threat needed to get over the top. Christian Gonzalez This list doesn't just feature offensive players. When playing defense in the Olympics, you'll need some elite cornerbacks who can be put on an island and cover some twitchy athletes. Christian Gonzalez is widely regarded as one of the most talented cornerbacks in the NFL right now, and he is someone who I could legitimately see being in the mix in 2028. Tez Johnson Much like De'Anthony Thomas, if you want to talk about people who can make a defender miss in open space, there are few better in the world than Tez Johnson. While his measurables and size caused him to drop in the 2025 NFL draft, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who believes he is not an elite playmaker with the ball in his hands. His skill set would also be perfect for flag football, where he doesn't have to be physical or sustain hits but can just let his quickness and agility do the talking. LaMichael James When it comes to flag football, the ability to make a defender miss is one of the most valuable assets, and few people were better at this than LaMichael James. With his quick-twitch steps and ability to stick his foot in the ground and get vertical, LaMike was a nightmare for defenders in the open field. Josh Huff Josh Huff gets overlooked in the history of Oregon receivers, but that shouldn't be the case, as he had a remarkable ability to get upfield and make catches in traffic. While one of his best skills was surviving contact and keeping plays alive, something that isn't as important in flag football, I think that Huff would prove valuable at the Olympics in his prime with his ability to get open and make the tough catches. Marcus Mariota Many NFL quarterbacks have the arm talent to be elite in flag football, but if you want the mobility required to escape the pocket, throw on the run, and pick up yards downfield, then Marcus Mariota, in his prime, might be the answer. As the Heisman Trophy winner in 2014, Mariota displayed an incredible ability to get out of the pocket and use his feet while also delivering strikes downfield. Man, wouldn't it be fun to see him do that again? Jevon Holland Again on the defensive side of the ball, elite safety play is needed in flag football, with a coverage safety who can be rangy and dynamic at the catch point. Jevon Holland fits the billing there. Holland got paid this offseason in free agency and is one of the more successful Pro Ducks in the NFL. He would be a fun addition to the Olympic team. Bucky Irving While the running back position isn't quite as important in flag football, having a shifty back who can catch passes out of the backfield is very valuable. Bucky Irving has proven that he can do that as well as anyone, using elite jump-cuts and short-area agility to make guys miss in the open field. Kenyon Sadiq Let's close it out with a current Duck. Would anyone be surprised if Kenyon Sadiq is actually in the running for a spot on the Olympic team by the time 2028 rolls around? He is one of the most athletic tight ends in the nation and is expected to have a career year in 2025 as one of the top options on Oregon's offense. We've seen his catching ability, and his knack for hurdling defenders has left jaws on the floor. With a big frame, Sadiq still has the agility and athleticism necessary to thrive in a flag football environment where he can make defenders miss and be a big-time weapon over the middle. 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.
