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Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 25 — Bucky Irving
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- Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 25 — Bucky Irving
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?
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, fan adoration, and legacy.
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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 25 days.
Today, we start with No. 25 — the great Bucky Irving .
Player Overview
Oregon Ducks running back Bucky Irving vs. the Washington State Cougars
Bucky Irving's time in Eugene was brief, but it had a lasting impact. In Dan Lanning's first year with the Ducks, he brought in Irving as a transfer from Minnesota to take over as the RB1 in the backfield, and while he was relatively unknown at the time, that changed quickly.
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It became clear very early on in Irving's tenure that he possessed the explosive and jaw-dropping talents that Duck fans had grown accustomed to from the RB position, having watched players like LaMichael James , Kenjon Barner , and De'Anthony Thomas over the years. In two years with the Ducks, Irving became a fan favorite and was a significant piece of a pair of the most memorable Oregon teams this century.
Bucky Irving Career Stats
Jan. 1, 2024; Glendale, Arizona; Oregon Ducks running back Bucky Irving (0) hurdles over Liberty Flames defensive back Brandon Bishop (6) during the second half in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
27 Games — 342 rushes, 2,238 yards, 16 TDs // 87 catches, 712 yards, 5 TDs
Single Best Season
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 14: Bucky Irving #0 of the Oregon Ducks carries the ball against Jabbar Muhammad #1 of the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
2023: 14 games — 186 rushes, 1,180 yards, 11 TD // 56 catches, 413 yards, 2 TD
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Awards:2nd Team All-Pac-12
Oregon's 2023 season was as successful as almost any this century, and aside from the pair of painful losses to the Washington Huskies, it was perfect. The Ducks went 12-2 with a win in the Fiesta Bowl. Irving was a vital part of Oregon's run, breaking out of the timeshare with Noah Whittington and establishing himself as a clear workhorse RB1.
Historical Oregon Records and Stats
Oregon running back Bucky Irving takes off with the ball as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
With 2,238 rushing yards in his two years in Eugene, Irving ranks No. 13 on Oregon's all-time career rushing list. His 16 rushing touchdowns rank 27th in Oregon history.
Bucky Irving NFL Draft
Jan 5, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd (93) grabs the facemark of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Though he is seen as an undersized running back in the NFL, Irving was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers i n the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, with pick No. 125.
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Bucky Irving's NFL Success
Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) exchange jerseys after a game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Irving was one of the biggest revelations of the 2024 NFL season, bursting onto the scene with the Buccaneers and taking over as the lead running back in Tampa Bay . He finished his rookie season with 207 rushes for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns, plus 47 catches for 392 yards.
Irving was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and was voted 6th for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Bucky Irving's Lasting Legacy
EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 19: Running back Bucky Irving #0 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after his touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)
Some veteran Oregon Duck fans will look at Irving's place on this top 25 list and claim it as a result of recency bias, and there is some merit to that opinion. However, when considering the numbers Irving was able to put up in his short time with the Ducks, along with the level of fan adoration he garnered in just two seasons, I believe his ranking is deserved.
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Oregon has seen its fair share of tantalizing rushers who can fill a highlight reel, and Irving continued that legacy. He's now doing the same thing with the Buccaneers, building a cult following at the NFL level. He may be a recent Duck, but he will forever be a beloved member of the Oregon family.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks football's top 25 players since 2000: No. 25 Bucky Irving
