Herbie Award: Kirk Herbstreit names best pass rusher

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit hosted his annual preseason awards show, The Herbie Awards, on Thursday and named the best pass rusher in college football: Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux. 

Thibodeaux was also a finalist for Herbstreit’s most exciting player awards, but LSU cornerback Derek Stingley beat out Thibodeaux and Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto. 

The junior defensive end is widely considered to be one of the top, if not the top, pick for the 2022 NFL Draft. He was named to the AP Preseason All-America First Team and was just named ESPN’s No. 3 player in the country. 

Additionally, he is on several watch lists for prestigious national awards, including the Walter Camp Player of the Year (top overall played in college football), the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player in the country).

Thibodeaux has 77 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three pass break ups and a forced fumble over two years in Eugene. Last season, the former five-star recruit had three sacks in his last four games. 

The junior won the defensive Morris Award in 2020. The award has an offensive and defensive recipient, as it is given to the nation’s best lineman. Thibodeaux is the third Oregon player to win the award in the last four years; Penei Sewell won the award in 2019 and Tyrell Crosby won it in 2017.

Oregon trying to get back to the Pac-12 Championship

Last season, Oregon won the Pac-12 after Washington, who won the Pac-12 North during the regular season, could not participate due to COVID-19 issues. They fell to Iowa State 34-17 in the Fiesta Bowl to end their season. 

The Ducks return nine starters on offense, but quarterback Anthony Brown is not one of the them. Brown is a Boston College transfer who spent last year as Tyler Shough’s backup. Now, Brown gets the keys to the car with top receivers Devon Williams and Mycah Pittman, brother of former USC receiver Michael Pittman. Phil Steele ranked the Oregon wide receiver room the best in the Pac-12. Running backs Travis Dye and CJ Verdell return to Eugene as well.

The Ducks defense returns seven players led by Thibodeaux. They will look to improve in several defensive categories after allowing 28.3 points per game (sixth in the conference) and 405.9 yards per game (fifth in the conference) last season. 

Oregon opens their season against Fresno State before traveling to Columbus for a marquee matchup against Ohio State that will have massive playoff implications for both teams.