Oregon lands two players on PFF's list of 101 players for 2022
With the 2022 season in the books, Pro Football Focus released its annual list of the top 101 players in college football earlier this week.
As has been the case with various year-end lists throughout the offseason, Oregon was well-represented. But there were also some notable snubs that will stand out to plenty of Duck fans.
In total, two Oregon players landed on PFF’s list — and one future Duck also made the cut.
The top-ranked Oregon player was quarterback Bo Nix, who came in at No. 31 overall and was the No. 10 quarterback on the list. Here’s the rundown on Nix from PFF.
“Nix had a career resurgence this season. Over his first three seasons at Auburn, his 69.7% adjusted completion rate ranked just 108th among FBS quarterbacks. This season, Nix’s 82.3% mark led the Power Five and was second in the nation.”
In his first season in green and yellow, Nix delivered one of the most statically-impressive seasons in program history.
Nix finished the year 294-for-409 passing (71.9%) for 3,593 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also ran for 510 yards on 89 carries (5.7 yards-per-carry) and 14 touchdowns.
But PFF tabbed Nix as just the third-best Pac-12 quarterback during the 2022 season. USC’s Caleb Williams landed at No. 1 overall on the publication’s list and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. came in at No. 19.
The only other player to make the cut who spent the 2022 season with the Ducks was sophomore running back Bucky Irving. In his first season with the program, Irving led Oregon with 1,058 yards on 156 carries with five touchdowns
As PFF noted, Irving was one of the best in the country this season at making tacklers miss.
“Trey Benson may have set the PFF College record for single-season forced missed tackles per attempt, but Irving wasn’t too far behind. His 43% broken tackle rate ranked second in the country and fifth in the PFF College era.”
Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, Alex Forsyth, and T.J. Bass were notably absent from PFF’s list after all three received postseason accolades following standout seasons.
But one bright spot for Duck fans is the inclusion of Troy receiver Tez Johnson, who has committed to transfer to Oregon after a stellar 2022 campaign.
Johnson should immediately make an impact in the slot for Oregon in 2023.
“Despite his 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame, Johnson averaged 3.52 yards per route run, the third most in college football among wide receivers. The sophomore is transferring to Oregon for next season, where he’ll catch passes from Bo Nix his adopted brother.
PFF College 101 top 10
- QB Caleb Williams, USC
- RB Blake Corum, Michigan
- DL Jalen Carter, Georgia
- RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
- QB Bryce Young, Alabama
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
- QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
- TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
- QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
