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Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 14 — Walter Thurmond III
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- Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 14 — Walter Thurmond III
Over the last 25 years, the Oregon Ducks have been one of the single best teams in all of college football, sitting near the top of the sport for the better part of a quarter-century.
Since 2000, Oregon has compiled an overall record of 239-83 (.742), with just two losing seasons during that span. They've been to 24 bowl games, won three Rose Bowls, been to a pair of College Football Playoffs, and appeared in two National Championships. They've seen a Heisman Trophy winner in Marcus Mariota and had 99 players selected in the NFL Draft.
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It's safe to say that when looking at the nation's best in this millennium, Oregon belongs in the conversation. But who are the players who helped get Nike University into that conversation? That's a different question entirely.
To celebrate the quarter-century mark, we're going to dive into that question over the next month as we approach the start of the 2025 season. The Ducks have had hundreds of memorable and beloved players over the years, many of whom will live on forever in some way.
But who is the best of the best?
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That answer, of course, is subjective. When reviewing the numbers and conducting our research, we took several factors into account: career statistics, overall impact and success, legacy, fan adoration, and NFL success.
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Boiling 25 years of Oregon football down to 25 players is no easy task, and not one that we took lightly. Dozens of players were left on the cutting room floor who deserve a spot in the top 25, and at some point, subtracting names off the list started to feel like pulling teeth. But in the end, we were left with 25 players, whom we will honor over the next few weeks.
If you want to catch up, let's take a look at how we've gotten to where we're at in the rankings:
Today, let's continue with No. 14 — Walter Thurmond III
Player Overview
Sept 26, 2009; EUGENE, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks cornerback Walter Thurmond III (6) speaks to his teammates during pregame warmups against the California Bears at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Walter Thurmond III's time with Oregon was very similar to Jairus Byrd , his teammate and fellow member of the D-Boyz. While he did not have a star ranking, he shined in high school as a two-sport star who was considered one of the fastest players in the state of California. Thurmond would immediately show the college world why they were foolish to pass over him, becoming a star with the Ducks .
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Walter Thurmond III Career Stats
University of Oregon cornerback Walter Thurmond (6) defends against USC receiver Garrett Green (C) as USC head coach Pete Carroll (L) looks on in the third quarter during their NCAA football game in Eugene, Oregon October 27, 2007. REUTERS/Steve Dipaola (UNITED STATES)
41 Games — 253 tackles, 13 TFL, 12 INT, 3 TD
Single Best Season
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 19: Walter Thurmond III #6 of the Oregon Ducks returns a punt for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
13 Games— 103 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 INT, 2 TD
The star defensive back was productive during his entire college career, but his best work was done in his sophomore season. This is where the comparisons to Byrd begin, as Thurmond demonstrated excellent versatility in 2007, showcasing his impact in the tackling department, creating turnovers, and even scoring points himself.
Historical Stats and Records
Sept 12, 2009; Eugene, OR, USA; Purdue Boilermakers tight end Kyle Adams (85) is tackled by tackle Oregon Ducks cornerback Walter Thurmond III (6) in the second quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
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Most Interceptions Returned for a TD in Oregon History (3)
Walter Thurmond III NFL Draft
Jul 30, 2009; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks cornerback Walter Thurmond III at Pacific-10 Conference football media day at the Sheraton Gateway LAX hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Thurmond's final two seasons in Eugene were injury-riddled, which tanked his draft stock considerably, falling to the fourth round where the Seattle Seahawks selected him with the 111th overall pick.
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Walter Thurmond III NFL Success
Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Walter Thurmond III (26) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Eagles won 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sadly, the success he had with the Ducks did not translate to the NFL as Thurmond retired after just six seasons. The one thing that did follow him to the next level was the injury bug, which is a major contributor as to why his professional career sputtered.
Thurmond recorded just 160 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 3 sacks. But, the vast majority of those numbers were recorded in his final season, so his career ended with bubbling optimism.
Walter Thurmond III's Lasting Legacy
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 26: Walter Thurmond III #6 of the Oregon Ducks looks on from the bench in the first quarter of the game against the California Bears at Autzen Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon. Thurmond was injured on the opening kickoff and is out for the season. The Ducks won the game 42-3. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Walter Thurmond III is a name that could one day be lost in the annals of NFL history, but that can never nullify the impact he had at Oregon. He arrived on the scene at a time when a ton of other talented defenders peppered the Ducks roster and helped foster the culture that is in place today. One of the members of the legendary D-Boyz, Thurmond signifies a period of supremacy and defensive dominance that the people of Oregon will always carry with them.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks' top 25 players since 2000: No. 14 Walter Thurmond III
