As far as I can remember, I have always loved football. Everything from strategy to fun facts really strikes a chord with me. With this love came a fandom of the Cleveland Browns and the University of Oregon Ducks football team. I have lived through a great era in Ducks football, from Joey Harrington to Dennis Dixon to Marcus Mariota to Justin Herbert to now Tyler Shough. However, since I was born, I’ve heard that the University of Southern California (boo) is commonly referred to as QB U?
Now, for those that don’t know what that means, let me explain. QB U is a term college football fanatics like to use when describing who produces the best quarterbacks. This means who has the most Heisman winner/candidates, better stat sheets, who gets the most QBs into the professional ranks, preferably high in the NFL Draft, as well whose alumni can have the more fruitful career in the Pro ranks. For years, USC has carried this crown, and to me that is a real head scratcher. With Oregon QB Justin Herbert going 6th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft to the Los Angeles Chargers, I have to beg to differ on who really is QB U. To me, it’s the University of Oregon. Here are the facts.
Believe it or not, the Ducks have actually had one of the most impressive QB rosters since they began playing football in 1947, including a Heisman Trophy winner (Marcus Mariota) and two National Championship Game appearances. Though the Ducks have been known for their incredibly fast skill players like Johnathan Stewart, De’Anthony Thomas, La’Michael James, and Kenjon Barner, they have also been home to SIX QBs selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Marcus Mariota, Joey Harrington, Justin Herbert, Akili Smith, Chris Miller, and George Shaw were selected in the first round, with Mariota, Smith, Harrington, and Shaw all drafted in the drafted in the top 3. Talk about impressive. You can make cases for a couple other schools like Stanford or Oklahoma as being QB U, but with the list of successful QBs they've had in the collegiate and professional ranks (on all levels and platforms), no one compares with the University of Oregon.
Let’s take a look at notable Oregon QBs throughout the years and see where they are now:
Justin Herbert: Coming off a stellar career for the Ducks, including being a true freshman starter, Herbert was taken by the LA Chargers 6th overall in 2020. After a medical procedure gone wrong to starting QB Tyrod Taylor, Justin Herbert was given the nod and the Chargers haven’t looked back since. Justin Herbert is a bonafide stud and so far is easily the OROTY hands down.
Marcus Mariota: The now Las Vegas Raiders Quarterback was probably one of the most astonishing QB prospects of all time in the college ranks. With impressive height, speed, agility, and athleticism, Marcus Mariota led the Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory and the first ever CFB Playoff National Championship Game while earning himself a Heisman Trophy. Mariota was then selected by the Tennessee Titans 2nd Overall in 2015, and during that time he tried his damned hardest to turn that pitiful Titans team around. Mariota actually led them to the playoffs, and a playoff win against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. He even threw a TD to himself. That’s how hard Mariota had to try to win games for Tennessee; he had to throw to himself and score! The Titans did him no favors during this time by hiring and firing coaches every season, not getting healthy receivers and having a sub par O-Line (not you Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin, you guys were great!) and then, he was benched in favor of Ryan Tannehill after a turbulent start; however, he did get back to the post season with the Titans and got playing time. After this season, Mariota signed a 2 year contract to play for the now Las Vegas Raiders and play under Jon Gruden. I’m very intrigued by this pairing.
Vernon Adams Jr.: Now when talking about Vernon Adams Jr., I get a little choked up. Vernon was Mariota’s successor, and there was a lot to live up to. Since he was a short QB transferring from Eastern Washington University, there were a lot of skeptics. Vernon Adams Jr. hushed all the doubters, though, and had an absolutely terrific season for the Ducks. Though he only started 10 games for the Ducks, due to missing 2 games to injury, the Ducks were flying high and landed a spot in the Alamo Bowl against TCU. The Ducks beat the snot out of the Horned Frogs, but Adams Jr. got hurt before half time and did not return. The Horned Frogs made a gigantic comeback and won the Alamo Bowl… alas… To Vernon Adams Jr.’s credit, he kept grinding. He went undrafted, but was invited to both he Seattle Seahawks and Washington mini-camps. This led Vernon Adams Jr. to the CFL, for what has been a very weird career. He signed with the Montreal Alouettes, just to be traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was then traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who eventually released him from his contract before resigning with the Montreal Alouettes, whom he has been playing for since 2018. He was named the Alouettes Most Outstanding Player of 2019.
Dakota Prukop: Dakota Prukop was actually Vernon Adams Jr.’s predecessor and, interestingly enough, was also a transfer QB, but from Montana State. Dakota had some buzz around him and performed well until his fifth game when he struggled against Washington State. He was benched in favor of true freshman Justin Herbert. After the season, Prukop signed with the Toronto Argonauts (CFL). He saw limited playing time there, being mostly a back up, but this CFL offseason Prukop signed with the Calgary Stampeders.
Darren Thomas: Coming into Eugene, Oregon, Darren Thomas was a four star recruit, but sat behind Jeremiah Masoli his first season despite having an electric game against Boise State when he got to come off the bench. He then redshirted, but was eventually named the starter in 2010. In 2011, Thomas played lights out, throwing for 30 TDs and leading the Ducks to a 12-0 record. This brought the Ducks to the BCS National Championship game against Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers. Unfortunately, they lost and Darren Thomas returned the next season throwing 33 TDs and leading the Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. He didn’t get drafted to the NFL, but did sign with the Calgary Stampeders (CFL) and then went on to float around to various professional football leagues around the United States. He was a part of the Arizona Rattlers when they defeated the Sioux Falls Storm to win a United Bowl, and was at one point a Cedar Rapids Titan. He ended up finishing his playing career with the Washington Valor.
Dan Fouts: Fouts had a 15 year career with the San Diego Chargers. He was a 6x Pro Bowler, (1982) NFL Offensive Player of the Year and NFL MVP. His number (14) was retired by the Chargers, and he was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame, not to mention the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Dan Fouts was also named to the 1980’s All Decade NFL Team.
Pete Nelson: He may not be the biggest star of the gridiron on this list, but he sure was on the silver screen. If you know what Animal Planet’s hit TV series “Treehouse Masters” is, you know who Pete Nelson is, because he hosted it. That’s right, Pete Nelson builds, creates, and sells treehouses. He even has his own treehouse building business, which might be the coolest thing ever. He also designed the Red Panda (my favorite animal)house at the San Francisco Zoo. His television show averaged 1.3 million viewers.
Norm Van Brocklin: Besides having a really cool name, Van Brocklin was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. He was a 2x NFL Champion (1951, 1960) and 9x Pro Bowler. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame, and was a NFL MVP in 1960.
George Shaw: Shaw was a No. 1 overall pick in the 1955 NFL Draft to the Baltimore Colts.
Bob Berry: 1x Pro Bowl Selection (1969...nice…)
Norv Turner: He didn’t have a stellar career on the field, though one can argue making it to a top D1 program is stellar, but Norv found more success on the sidelines and in the press box as a coach. He’s a 2x Super Bowl Champion (XXVII, XXVIII).
Chris Miller: Miller was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons 13th overall, and was a 1x Pro Bowler (1991). As of recently, he was the Offensive Coordinator for the best team and offense of the XFL, the Houston Roughnecks (XFL).
Danny O’Neil: Rose Bowl Hall of Fame (2003).
Tony Graziani: Drafted by the Falcons, Graziani played for the Browns for a season before playing in NFL Europe (dope as fuck) for the Barcelona Dragons (even doper as fuck). He then played in the Arena Football League, where he was selected First Team All-Arena (2004) before being a part of the Philadelphia Soul’s ( Jon Bon Jovi’s AFL Team) Arena Bowl winning team in the Arena Bowl XXII game.
Kellen Clemens: After a solid QB career at the O, Kellen Clemens was drafted by the New York Jets 49th Overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Kellen Clemens would then go on to bounce around the League for multiple seasons.
Akili Smith: In 1999, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Akili Smith 3rd Overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He bounced around the League after that for multiple seasons. He even played for the Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe) (fucking dope as fuck) before ending his playing days in 2007 with the Calgary Stampede (CFL).
Dennis Dixon: Dixon had a solid college career. He went on to be a part of two Super Bowl winning teams (XLIII, XLVII). He was drafted into the MLB twice (2003, 2007).
Joey Harrington: Joey Harrington not only graced the cover of the EA Sports NCAA 2003 video game, he also finished 4th in Heisman voting in 2001. The 2002 Fiesta Bowl was a big game for him, as he led the Ducks to a major win in that game. These accolades helped him get selected 3rd Overall in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Joey actually had good playing ability for the Lions, but Lions ownership did him no favors in his playing career. His failure rests heavily on their shoulders. He would then bounce around the NFL for a couple seasons.
Jeremiah Masoli: Masoli probably has the most interesting career of the Oregon QBs. After transferring from City College of San Francisco to Oregon, injuries led to him eventually starting, and taking over, for the Ducks. He became the 2008 Holiday Bowl MVP after leading the Ducks over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. After some legal troubles in 2010, he transferred to Ole Miss. After college, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers before being waived. He was drafted and signed by the Omaha Nighthawks in 2011 in the United Football League Draft. He then signed with the Edmonton Eskimos (2012). In 2013, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he still currently plays. Masoli has played many roles since being with the Tiger-Cats, such as third string, second string, and a productive starter.
So, in conclusion, the Oregon Ducks have produced 19 highly successful QBs in all stages of professional football. They have had 4 QBs taken in the top 5 picks of the NFL Draft, which is more than any team. They have had 6 total QBs taken in the first round (George Shaw, Chris Miller, Akili Smith, Joey Harrington, Justin Hebert and Marcus Mariota). They have one Heisman Winner in Marcus Mariota, numerous Super Bowl Champions, an NFL legend, a TV Legend, Coaching Royalty, and an Offensive Coordinator for the best XFL Team ever. So I ask you, how is it that the University of Oregon is not the true QB U? By my knowledge and research, they own and dominate this title hardcore, with not only collegiate success, but also success on the professional level as well. Go Ducks!
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