Tag: ProDucks

Mel Kiper puts one Oregon Duck in first round of latest 2025 NFL mock draft

ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. sees Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly as a first-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Rams.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper is at it again.

The college football offseason is upon us and it’s the time where Kiper begins to put out his multiple mock NFL drafts.

In his first mock draft that ESPN has published, Kiper sees Oregon’s Josh Conerly going as a late first rounder to the Los Angeles Rams. According to the draft expert, the Rams are going to need Conerly in order to protect their aging quarterback, Matt Stafford.

All signs point to Matthew Stafford returning to the Rams next season and still playing at a high level. But he’s also going to be 37 when training camp starts. Retirement isn’t out of the question, and even if he does come back, Los Angeles would be smart to start making future plans …I’m instead trying to help the Rams keep Stafford protected. Conerly has fantastic movement traits and maintains a clean pocket for his quarterback. He gave up just two sacks over three seasons in Eugene. He started two of those seasons and has been a consistent blindside wall. — Mel Kiper, ESPN

To whatever team Conerly goes to, they’re going to receive one of the top offensive linemen in the country. Oregon wanted to possibly keep Conerly for his senior season, but the call to the NFL was just too great to pass up for the big 6-foot-4, 315-pounder from Seattle.

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Haloti Ngata to be inducted into the college football Hall of Fame

Former Oregon defensive lineman Haloti Ngata to be inducted into the college football Hall of Fame.

This was a no-brainer and probably should have happened sooner.

Former Oregon Duck defensive lineman Haloti Ngata will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this coming December. He becomes the seventh Oregon Duck to be in the hall.

“We are thrilled to announce the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” said Archie Manning, NFF Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer from Mississippi. “Each of these legends ranks among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to adding their incredible accomplishments to those permanently enshrined in the Hall of Fame.”

Ngata will join fellow Ducks quarterback Norm Van Brocklin (Class of 1966), running back John Kitzmiller (1969), tackle John Beckett (1972), running back Mel Renfro (1986), running back Ahmad Rashad (2007) and running back LaMichael James (2023) into the Hall of Fame.. Former Oregon coaches Len Casanova (1977) and Mike Bellotti (2014) are also Hall of Fame inductees.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, Ngata was one of the most dominating Ducks to ever take the football field. In 35 career games, he racked up 151 career total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and an astounding seven blocked kicks.

“Haloti Ngata’s selection to the College Football Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of his tremendous impact on college football and the University of Oregon football program,” Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said. “During his time here, Haloti was a dominant force on the field, a leader in the locker room, and a role model for all. Haloti is a true Duck legend, and we are proud to celebrate him, his incredible legacy, and this honor.”

In his 13 years in the NFL where he played for Baltimore Ravens (nine seasons), Detroit Lions (three seasons) and Philadelphia Eagles (one season), Ngata had 517 tackles, 63 for loss, 32.5 sacks and five fumble recoveries.

Ngata became the first Duck to be named the conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 while also winning the Morris Trophy as the Pac-10’s top defensive lineman. He racked up career highs of 61 tackles and 9.0 tackles for loss while also adding 3.0 sacks and two blocked kicks.

And finally, Ngata was selected to the Pac-10’s “All-Century Team” and was inducted into Oregon’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016

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Former Oregon QB Bo Nix played through serious back injury during Broncos playoff run

Former Oregon QB Bo Nix played through serious back injury during Broncos playoff run.

No one can ever say that Bo Nix can’t play through pain or that he’s not tough enough to play in the NFL.

The former Oregon quarterback led the Denver Broncos to a 10-7 regular season record and a playoff appearance against the Buffalo Bills, but it wasn’t easy. Not by a long shot.

According to beat reporter Zac Stevens, Nix suffered three fractures in his lower back towards the end of the regular season, but he kept on playing through the pain and discomfort. His injuries, which were more specifically process fractures of three vertebrae, occurred during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders way back on Nov. 24.

Despite those injuries, Nix led the Broncos to win four out of their last six games in order to make the postseason where their season ended with a 31-7 loss to the Bills.

Nix is in the running to win the Rookie of the Year award in the NFL this season as he surpassed all expectations being the No. 12 pick of the 2024 draft last April. He had a 66 completion percentage and threw for 3,775 yards to go with his 29 touchdowns. Nix did have 12 interceptions, however, something he will definitely work on in the offseason.

Denver has been looking for a franchise quarterback ever since Payton Manning retired and it seems as if they found their guy for the present and the future.

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WATCH: Bo Nix and Troy Franklin connect for a touchdown in playoffs

WATCH: Bo Nix and Troy Franklin connect for a touchdown in playoffs.

Oregon football fans have seen this a bunch of times.

But this time it was in the NFL Wild Card Playoff round.

Former Duck quarterback Bo Nix hit another former Duck, receiver Troy Franklin on a perfect post pattern for a 43-yard touchdown strike for the Denver Broncos.

Nix is leading his team into the AFC Wild Card where they are currently playing the Buffalo Bills. The Broncos finished the regular season 10-7 and they are a severe underdog to the 13-4 Bills.

It’s thought that Nix could be the favorite for the NFL Rookie of the Year. He had an outstanding season for the Broncos, who have had difficulty finding a quarterback since Payton Manning retired.

In his first season, Nix had a completion percentage of 66.3 and threw 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. As for the receiving end of that touchdown, Franklin caught 28 passes in the regular season and two touchdowns in his rookie campaign.

 

Nightmare scenario hits Justin Herbert and the Chargers in NFL playoffs

Former Oregon Duck quarterback Justin Herbert threw four picks as the Los Angeles Chargers were bounced out of the NFL playoffs 32-12.

The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert with hopes he’ll lead them to the franchise’s first Super Bowl win.

The wait will have to continue for another season.

Herbert struggled in the NFL playoff Wild Card round as the Chargers’ season ended with a 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday.

This was a great year for Herbert, who came into the game with a career-low three interceptions in the 17 regular season games as the Chargers were 11-6, getting the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs. But the Texans picked off four of Herbert’s passes, returning one for a touchdown and the season came to a sudden and disappointing end. Herbert was 14-of-32 for 242 yards with a 40.9 passer rating.

Los Angeles brought in former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh in hopes of moving on in the playoffs and a possible Super Bowl title. While the regular season was a success for the most part, the 20-point road loss in Houston is a cruel reminder of how quickly a playoff run can be over before it gets going.

Charger fans will be clamoring for more in 2025, as eventually, a first-round playoff loss will not be enough. Herbert signed a contract extension in 2023 worth $262.5 million. This includes a $16 million signing bonus and $218 million guaranteed.

Oregon football fans will get to continue to watch a former quarterback in the NFL playoffs Sunday as Bo Nix will lead the Denver Broncos against the Buffalo Bills.

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Sabrina Ionescu says Oregon’s win over Ohio State motivated WNBA Finals Game 2 performance

Sabrina Ionescu used the Oregon football’s win over Ohio State for motivation in her finals series against the Minnesota Lynx.

An athlete like Sabrina Ionescu doesn’t need a lot of motivation to excel at her sport, especially since her New York Liberty are in the WNBA finals.

But watching her favorite college football team, the Oregon Ducks, win a big game like they did on Saturday, didn’t hurt either.

After the Liberty tied the series 1-1 with the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday — a game where Ionescu scored 15 points and five assists in the 80-66 win — she was asked about the Ducks’ win over Ohio State.

“After they won with the way they did, today I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to wear my Oregon shoes’,” she said. “I wanted to embody that tough, gritty win that they pulled off. A lot things didn’t go right for them and they continued to kind of fight and stay together and grind out a really big win and I was, ‘all right and I wanted to bring that energy with me today on the court.'”

Ionescu and the Liberty now travel to Minnesota for Game 3 of the series where they’ll try to take control and get one step closer for their first WNBA championship.

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Bo Nix makes history as Denver Broncos first rookie team captain in 57 years

Bo Nix was named Denver Broncos team captain as a rookie quarterback after a very successful preseason.

People at Oregon quickly found out that quarterback Bo Nix’s football IQ was off the charts.

The Denver Broncos are now finding this out as well.

So much so, the Broncos have named Nix as a team captain as a rookie before the team begins the season with a road game at Seattle. He becomes the first Broncos rookie to be named team captain since the honor was given to Floyd Little back in 1967.

Nix was drafted 12 overall in the first round and after a successful preseason, he was named the starting quarterback. This is just the first of many “firsts” for Nix this 2024 NFL season.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1831358350665347116

After a strong pair of preseason games, Nix was quickly named the starting quarterback for the Broncos. He will see his NFL debut this coming Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

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Sabrina Ionescu knocks down wild shot in Liberty win over Storm

Sabrina Ionescu keeps on doing unreal things on the floor as he made a shot while laying on the floor in the Liberty’s win in Seattle.

Just when you think Sabrina Ionescu has done it all on the floor, she manages to top herself yet again.

In the 98-85 win at Seattle where she finished with 25 points and eight rebounds, Ionescu went down to her knees for one of those boards and two of those points.

On a running lay-in attempt, Ionescu fell to the floor and as the ball came down, it somehow ended up in her hands. Amid some traffic in the lane, Ionescu didn’t have time to get up, so she put up a shot from her knees and it went in.

By now, it’s just another highlight in her illustrious career. Ionescu is coming off winning the gold medal in the Paris Olympics and she is leading the New York Liberty to the WNBA’s best record of 27-6. They are the favorites to win the championship, something that’s still not on Ionescu’s resume.

Yet.

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Denver Broncos name Bo Nix starting QB for Week 1

It took Bo Nix all of two preseason games to win the quarterback job in Denver.

That didn’t take long.

After two good performances on the field, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton as named rookie quarterback Bo Nix as their starter for the 2024 season.

The former Oregon signal-caller was drafted 12th overall by the Broncos in April and he certainly hasn’t disappointed in fall camp or in the two preseason games Denver has played in so far.

The Broncos won those two games and Nix performed beyond expectations. In the 34-30 win over Indianapolis, Nix was 15-of-21 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown. He was even better against the Packers in which Denver won 27-2.

Nix was 8-of-9 passing, good for 80 yards and a touchdown.

“I thought he played well. He had one penalty, which was, man, right on the line. It was tough. It was a pretty heads-up play,” Payton said. “He did a good job at the line of scrimmage with some checks. You feel his comfort level as he continues to get used to the calls coming in. You kind of feel the poise when he’s playing,” Payton said.

That poise and success on the field led Payton to the obvious conclusion that it will be Nix leading the Broncos offense onto the field when they start regular season play at Seattle Sept. 8 at Lumen Field.

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Bo Nix Broncos jerseys are flying off the virtual shelves at Fanatics

After just one preseason game, Denver Broncos fans can’t log into their Fanatics accounts quick enough to buy their Bo Nix No. 10 jerseys.

Bo knows jersey sales.

Denver Broncos fans haven’t been this excited over a new rookie quarterback since possibly John Elway and so far, former Oregon signal-caller Bo Nix hasn’t let them down.

Nix was 15-of-21 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown to lead the Broncos over the Indianapolis Colts 34-30 in their first preseason game.

It was just preseason, but the excitement in the Mile High City is real. That performance prompted Broncos fans to log into their Fanatics.com account in order to buy their very own Nix No. 10 jersey.

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According to the site, Nix jersey sales saw a spike and now his No. 10 is the second-most NFL jersey bought on the site, only behind Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.

Nix is ahead of players such as JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix, Jr. and Jayden Daniels in terms of sales.

His play was so impressive that Denver has already announced Nix will start the next preseason game when they host the Green Bay Packers. Expect many fans to sport their new orange No. 10 jerseys in the stadium on Sunday.

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