The Oregonian/OregonLive has compiled a list of nominees for an Oregon State Beavers All-Quarter-Century football team made up of players from 2000 through 2024. The final teams will be selected in August.
Other posts:
Kicker
;
Punter
.
• • •
Today:
Kickoff returners (nominees detailed below in alphabetical order).
Vote:
Make your selections in the poll below. You can also email Aaron Fentress (
afentress@oregonian.com
) with your thoughts.
• • •
Silas Bolden
Years:
2020-2023
.
Record books:
Silas Bolden, a wide receiver, amassed 1,008 kickoff return yards in four years before transferring to Texas for his final season.
His 27.2-yard return average in 2022 ranks eighth all-time at OSU, while his career average of 25.2 ranks sixth.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Bolden was named second-team All-Pac-10 in both 2022 and 2023.
NFL:
Silas signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2025 NFL draft.
• • •
Victor Bolden Jr.
Years:
2013-2016
.
Record books:
Victor Bolden Jr., the older brother of Silas Bolden, began his career in 2013 as one of the most dynamic kickoff return specialists in program history.
Bolden led the Pac-12 in returns (58) and yards (1,198), both program records. His total yards is a conference record.
He set a Pac-12 single-game record with 12 kick returns for 305 yards against Washington.
Bolden’s career kickoff return yardage total of 2,420 is also an OSU record.
The wide receiver holds the record for three of the top six longest kickoff returns in program history.
He returned one 100 yards for a score at Washington State in 2015. That mark is tied with three others for the longest of all time.
His 99-yarder against Boise State in 2016 ranks fifth and his 98-yarder against Washington in 2013 ranks sixth.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Bolden was named second-team All-Pac-12 in 2015 as a return specialist.
NFL:
Bolden spent time in the N FL with the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills.
• • •
Champ Flemings
Years:
2018-2021
.
Record books:
The 5-foot-5 Flemings is not in the program’s record books. But he amassed 1,823 kickoff return yards during his career at OSU with a 22.2 average.
His 447 return yards in 2020 led the Pac-12.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Flemings was named honorable mention All-Pac-12 as a return specialist in 2020.
NFL:
Flemings did not play in the NFL.
• • •
James Rodgers
Years:
2007-2011
.
Records:
Rodgers gained 2,124 yards on kickoff returns at OSU, with one touchdown return in 2008.
His career average of 24.7 ranks seventh in program history, but within the top 10, he is one of only three players with more than 65 returns.
His 28.7-yard average on 12 returns in 2010 ranks fifth and led the Pac-10 conference.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Rodgers was named first-team All-Pac-10 as a kickoff returner in 2008.
NFL:
Rodgers did not appear in an NFL game but spent time on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad. He did play in the CFL.
• • •
Gerard Lawson
Years:
2004-2007
.
Records:
Lawson’s 26.9-yard return average in 2006 ranks eighth all-time. In 2007, he led the Pac-10 with 1,085 return yards, a figure that ranks sixth in conference history. He averaged 22.1 yards on 49 returns.
His 100-yard touchdown return at Hawaii in 2006 is tied for the program record.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Lawson was named honorable mention all-Pac-10 as a defensive back in 2007.
NFL:
Lawson, undrafted in 2008, played three seasons in the NFL for Cleveland and Philadelphia.
• • •
Jordan Poyer
Years:
2009-2012
.
Records:
Poyer gained 1,711 yards on 66 kickoffs during his career for an average of 25.9 yards per return, which ranks 5th all-time at OSU.
Poyer’s 27.8-yard return average in 2019 ranks seventh.
His 917 return yards in 2010 rank 23rd in conference history.
Accolades/accomplishments:
The all-conference cornerback did not receive all-conference honors as a return specialist.
NFL:
Poyer, a
seventh-round pick in 2013, has played 12 seasons in the NFL and is currently a free agent.
— Aaron Fentress |
afentress@Oregonian.com
|
@aaronjfentress.bsky.social
|
@AaronJFentress
(X),
@AaronJFentress
(Instagram)
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Oregon State Beavers All-Quarter-Century team nominees: Kickoff returners
Oregon State Beavers All-Quarter-Century team nominees: Kickoff returners
Oregon State Beavers All-Quarter-Century team nominees: Kickoff returners