The casual college football viewer may be surprised by how many individual stars the Oregon football program has produced, even if the Ducks’ notoriety did not truly begin until the late 1990s.
Here’s our list of the top 25 players to wear Oregon’s creatively loud uniforms over the years. Presented in chronological order.
Beckett should be remembered not simply as one of Oregon’s first outstanding football players, but also as a collegiate football pioneer. Beckett was a multi-positional star for the Ducks in the 1910s, the Ducks’ first All-American (recognized in 2018), and the inaugural member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Beckett, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs around 190 pounds, also occasionally punted for the team. He still remains.
Kitzmiller, nicknamed the “Flying Dutchman,” was another early and versatile standout of the Ducks program. Kitzmiller starred at halfback, defensive back, and kicker for Oregon, and he excelled at nearly every aspect of the game. During his three seasons in college, Kitzmiller, who weighed 164 pounds, was named All-Pacific Coast Conference twice. Oregon went 23-7 under Kitzmiller, who was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Norm Van Brocklin made history as Oregon’s first All-American quarterback. After serving his country in World War II, Van Brocklin came to Eugene and ended up becoming possibly the most famous football product.
Come out of school. Van Brocklin passed for 1,949 yards and 18 touchdowns during two seasons as the Ducks’ quarterback. He led the Ducks to the Cotton Bowl and a 9-2 record during the 1948 season. Van Brocklin experienced even greater success in the NFL, leading the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles to titles. He is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
