The Oregonian/OregonLive has compiled a list of nominees for an Oregon Ducks All-Quarter-Century football team made up of players from 2000 through 2024. The final teams will be selected in August.
Prior posts:
Kickoff returners
;
Kicker
.
Punter
.
• • •
Today:
Punt returner (nominees detailed below in alphabetical order).
Vote:
Make your selection in the poll below. You can also email Aaron Fentress (
afentress@oregonian.com
) with your thoughts.
• • •
Bralon Addison
Years:
2012-2014
.
Record books:
Addison’s three career punt returns for touchdowns rank tied for second all-time at UO and in the Pac-12 Conference.
His 81-yard touchdown return at Michigan State in 2013 is tied for the eighth longest all-time.
Addison and Cliff Harris are the only two players in program history to return two punts for touchdowns in the same season.
Accolades/accomplishments:
In 2013, Addison was named
Pac-12 special teams player of the week after scoring on two punt returns in a win over California. He had another negated by a penalty.
He ended that season with 20 returns for 281 yards and a 14.1 average. For his career, Addison returned 36 punts for 451 yards.
NFL:
Addison
played two games in 2016 with the Chicago Bears
.
• • •
Cliff Harris
Years:
2009-2011
.
Record books:
In 2010, Harris set program single-season records for punt return average (18.8), total yards (546) and touchdowns (four). His four scores are tied for No. 1 in conference history. His total yards rank tied for third in conference history.
His average per return that season ranks seventh in conference history.
Harris’ four career touchdown returns are tied for the program record with Keenan Howry. Both are tied for third in conference history.
Harris’ 614 career yards rank eighth all-time at UO and his career average of 16.2 ranks second.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Harris was named first-team All-Pac-10 in 2010. Several outlets named him to their All-American team, including the Football Writers Association of America, ESPN and CBS.
NFL:
Harris did not appear in an NFL game but had brief stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets.
• • •
Keenan Howry
Years:
1999-2002
.
Records:
Howry ranks first all-time in total punt return yards (1,221 with only 12 coming in 1999) and for most yards in a game with 186 against Stanford in 2001.
That day included an 81-yard return that ranks tied for eighth.
His career total ranks ninth in conference history.
Howry’s season total of 465 yards in 2001 ranks fifth at UO and seventh in the conference. His 458 yards in 2002 rank sixth at Oregon and eighth in the conference.
Howry’s season average of 14.3 in 2002 ranks tied for ninth at UO and is ninth in conference history.
Howry’s four career returns for touchdowns rank tied for first at UO and third in the conference.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Howry was named first-team All-Pac-10 in 2001 and 2002.
NFL:
Howry played three seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings. He returned 49 punts for 358 yards. and 14 kickoffs for 316 yards.
• • •
Justin Phinisee
Years:
2002-2005.
Records:
Phinisee’s 15.4 average per return in 2004 ranks seventh at UO and his 609 career yards, on 50 returns, rank ninth.
Phinisee’s two returns for touchdowns rank tied for third.
His 12.2 career average ranks tied for eighth in conference history.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Phinise was named first-team All-Pac-10 as a defensive back in 2005.
NFL:
Phinisee was drafted in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL draft but never appeared in a regular-season game. He spent some time playing in the CFL.
• • •
De’Anthony Thomas
Years:
2011-2013
.
Records:
Thomas returned just 16 punts in his three seasons at UO, but they were impactful.
His average of 17.1 yards on nine returns in 2012 ranks third all-time at UO and 12th in conference history.
Thomas carried the same number for his career average, which ranks first all-time at UO.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Thomas was named honorable mention All-Pac-10 in 2012.
NFL:
A fourth-round pick to Kansas City in 2014, Thomas played six seasons in the NFL.
• • •
Noteworthy
Ugo Amadi:
As a senior in 2018, cornerback Amadi returned 14 punts for 223 yards and a touchdown.
His 15.9 average that season
ranks sixth all-time. That was the only season he returned punts.
Charles Nelson:
One of the most dynamic and versatile players in program history,
Nelson returned 23 punts over four seasons
(11 as a freshman for two touchdowns), gaining 304 yards with a 13.2 average.
Jevon Holland:
The safety took over punt return duties in 2019 and returned
16 for 244 yards with a 15.3 average
. His career 15-yard average ranks fifth all-time.
— Aaron Fentress |
afentress@Oregonian.com
|
@aaronjfentress.bsky.social
|
@AaronJFentress
(X),
@AaronJFentress
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Oregon Ducks All-Quarter-Century team nominees: Punt returner
Oregon Ducks All-Quarter-Century team nominees: Punt returner
Oregon Ducks All-Quarter-Century team nominees: Punt returner