Four Oregon Ducks land on ESPN's list of top-100 players for 2023 season
On Wednesday, ESPN released its list of the top 100 players in college football during the 2023 seasons, and the Oregon Ducks were well-represented.
In total, four Oregon players cracked ESPN’s list.
Ducks’ star quarterback Bo Nix led the way at No. 4. He was tabbed at No. 14 in ESPN’s preseason rankings.
Only LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., and Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. were ranked ahead of Nix on ESPN’s year-end list.
Here’s ESPN’s rundown on Nix.
“Nix was sensational for the Ducks, especially in Pac-12 play, as he earned first-team All-Pac-12 and was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year. The Auburn transfer ranked second in QBR (91.2) behind only Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels and threw 45 touchdown passes to just three interceptions while being sacked just five times.“
Oregon All-American receiver Troy Franklin landed at No. 26 on ESPN’s year-end list after not being ranked during the preseason.
Top 10
- 1Hot
Jake Paul tops Mike Tyson
Netflix fight ends in Paul victory
- 2New
Nico Iamaleava update
UT QB status revealed vs. Georgia
- 3
Nick Saban
Coach regrets leaving LSU
- 4
Gruden talks Tennessee
Ex-NFL coach addresses past rumors
- 5
DJ Lagway
Florida QB to return vs. LSU
Franklin set multiple UO single-season records during his junior season and was Nix’s No. 1 target week in and week out.
Here’s what ESPN had to say about Franklin’s season:
“The explosive receiver ranked third in FBS with 14 touchdown receptions during a season in which he finished with 81 catches for 1,383 yards (No. 6 in the country in total yards). He was particularly good in Pac-12 play, with six 100-yard receiving games in six conference games. He had at least four catches in all but one game this season, with the exception being a two-catch game in USC with 147 yards.”
Oregon All-American center Jackson Powers-Johnson became the first player in program history to win the Rimington Trophy this season and became just the fifth UO player ever to be named a unanimous All-Ameircan.
ESPN tabbed Powers-Johnson as the No. 42 player in the nation. Here’s their justification:
“There’s a reason Powers-Johnson is headed to the NFL draft. The Ducks’ center was an anchor for their offense as he guarded quarterback Bo Nix and helped fuel the team’s running to perfection. His work was aptly recognized this season as Powers-Johnson was awarded the 2023 Rimington Trophy, which recognizes the most outstanding center in college football.“
Last but not least, Oregon running back Bucky Irving landed at No. 51 on ESPN’s year-end list after being listed as the No. 71 player on the publication’s preseason list.
“Irving was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection for the Ducks and rushed for 1,180 yards with 11 touchdowns. He rushed for 100-plus yards in back-to-back games against Washington and Washington State in the middle of the season and is a vital cog in one of the most explosive scoring offenses in the country.”
