All Time Oregon Ducks

I love ranking players, and rankings in general. So is here is my list of the best Duck players of my lifetime, or since I really started following (1998-present). These rankings have nothing to do with NFL careers, instead they are just simply based on what I saw at during their time at Oregon (QB’s and RB’s today, more to come later).

Quarterback

1. Joey Harrington 1997-2001 – A 26-3 record as a starter speaks for itself. Harrington didn’t have the strongest arm, or quickest feet, but he managed games and was a perfect for Oregon’s offense at the time. Harrington lead the Ducks to 7^th and 2^nd end of season national ranking his last two seasons.
2. Akili Smith 1997-1998 – The Juco transfer from San Diego shared time with Jason Mass his junior season. Smith had a breakout 98’season, shattering nearly every passing record in the book while claiming the Pac 10 offensive player of the year award. His 1998 season was the best individual season I have even seen from a UO signal caller.
3. Kellen Clemens 2001-2005 – Clemens could easily head this list, had he not posted a losing record as a junior. The perfect combo of arm strength and speed for the newly implemented spread offense, Clemens was having one of the best seasons ever for a Duck QB until that unforgettable October night down in Tucson. Posting a 20-11 record as starter, the Burns native was always a fan favorite.
4. Dennis Dixon 2004-2007 – Dixon captivated college football fans throughout the nation during the 2007, leading the Heisman Trophy race, and putting the Ducks smack dab in the middle of the National Championship hunt before his torn ACL against Arizona State. Dixon had an amazing 2007 campaign, but the 2006 season must factor in…putting him 4^th on this list.

Running Back

1. Reuben Droughns 1998-1999 – Droughns made quite the splash in his first season, posting 200+ yards in thee of the first 5 games, before breaking his ankle at #1 UCLA in October of 1998. #1 could easily go to a number of former Ducks, but I believe he was the best running back the Ducks have had in my era.
2. Jonathan Stewart 2005-2007 – Stewart has the best individual rushing season ever for the Ducks, grinding out 1,722 yards on the ground in 2007. His combination of speed, size, and power made him nearly impossible for defenses to stop.
3. Onterrio Smith 2001-2002 – In my opinion Smith was the most talented running back to dawn the green and yellow. While the off field issues were certainly concerning, his on field production was never in question. Do yourself a favor and YouTube his 2001 game at #10 WSU where he rushed for a school record 285 yards on 22 carries. Had Barry Sanders like moves, making Duck fans hold their breath every time he touched the ball.
4. Maurice Morris 2000-2001 – Often overlooked, Morris put up back to back 1000 yard seasons in his only two seasons with the Ducks. His 2001 run against Colorado in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl will be seen on Duck vision for the next 50 years. Maurice was a constant workhorse, but never spectacular, putting him 4^th on this list.

Wide Receiver

1. Keenan Howry 1999-2002 – After much internal debate, I had to give the #1 nod to Howry. A four year contributor for the Ducks, Howry wasn’t the fastest or the biggest, but always came through with a big play when his team needed it most. Whether that was his 4 touchdown effort against ASU, nearly 400 all purpose yards (a UO record at the time, only to be surpassed by Onterrio the next week at WSU) in the 2001 loss to Stanford, or the 2001 Civil War punt return for a TD, Howry shined the brightest in biggest moments.
2. Sammie Parker 1999-2003 – Parker was often looked by Howry, but many don’t know he lead the team in receiving yards in the Fiesta Bowl season. Parker too lived for the big moments, gaining 179 yards in the Fiesta Bowl, and capping off his college career with 16 catches and 200+ yards against Minnesota in the 2003 Sun Bowl.
3. Demetrius Williams 2001-2005 – I feel D-Will was the most complete receiver the Ducks have had. He had the size to out jump defensive backs, the speed to run the deep fade, and the hands to go over the middle. Williams put up huge numbers in his sophomore and senior seasons, teaming with Kellen Clemens, forming one of the best duos the Ducks have ever seen.
4. Tony Hartley – Admittedly I don’t remember Hartley as well as the aforementioned players, but I do recall his 242 yard performance against the Huskies in 1997. I too remember him being suspended for the 1998 Aloha Bowl loss, possibly costing the Ducks a top 25 finish that year.

Tight End

1. Ed Dickson 2005-present – Dickson’s best is still ahead of him, but the last two seasons he has been the Ducks go to receiver in pressure situations. I know there are many other names I could put at the top of this list, but Dickson has the tools and the work ethic to easily secure the #1 spot come seasons end.
2. Justin Peele 1998-2001 – Peele played a huge role in the Ducks finishing in the top 10 in both 2000 and 2001. His 2000 game at Arizona State will go down as one of the best performances in Duck history. Always a solid and at times spectacular tight end.
3. Tim Day 2001-2005 – Day was a star in 2003 and 2004, becoming a household name for Duck fans after his 2003 game saving touchdown catch and run against Cal (remember the game when the lights went out in Autzen). His production dropped dramatically after Oregon switched to the spread in 2005, making me think he should have turned pro after the 2004 season.
4. George Wrighster 1999-2002 – George left early, along with Onterrio after the 2002 season. Had he stayed for his senior season, he would certainly be #1 on this list, as his 2002 season was the best I have ever seen from a Duck tight end (you remember all the brilliant 1 handed catches that season?!?!).