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:
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.
• • •
Anthony Gould
Years:
2019-2023
.
Record books:
Gould, a wide receiver, ended his career as the program’s all-time leader in career average yards per punt return with 16.4 on 26 returns for 427 yards and two touchdowns.
Gould led the Pac-12 with 256 yards in 2022 while averaging 18.3 yards per return, ranked second at OSU and ninth in Pac-12 history.
Gould’s 80-yard punt return for a touchdown against Montana State in 2022 ranks tied for fourth.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Gould was named first-team All-Pac-12 in 2022.
NFL:
The Indianapolis Colts selected Gould in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
• • •
Jordan Poyer
Years:
2009-2012
.
Record books:
Poyer had a greater impact as a kickoff return specialist, but he also made his mark on punt returns.
The cornerback returned 31 for 316 yards during his career. His 14.1-yard average in 2011 ranks fifth in program history. Poyer’s career average of 10.2 ranks ninth.
Poyer returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown in 2011 against UCLA, which ranks as the second longest in program history.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Poyer did not receive all-conference honors as a punt returner. However, he was twice named all-conference as a defensive back.
NFL:
A
seventh-round pick in 2013, Poyer has played 12 seasons in the NFL and is currently an unrestricted free agent.
• • •
James Rodgers
Years:
2007-2011
.
Records:
Rodgers, like Poyer, did most of his return damage on kickoffs. But he ranks as one of OSU’s best punt returners over the past 25 seasons.
His 13.7 career return average ranks second. His 11.6-yard average in 2009 ranks 10th.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Rodgers was not named all-conference as a punt returner but did as a wide receiver and kickoff returner.
NFL:
Rodgers did not appear in an NFL game but spent time on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad and played in the CFL.
• • •
Sammie Stroughter
Years:
2004-2008
.
Records:
Stroughter holds the program record for punt return yards in a season with 470, which led the Pac-10 in 2006 and ranks sixth in conference history.
His career total of 1,235 yards also ranks at the top in OSU history and is second in conference history.
Stroughter’s season average of 15.7 yards per return in 2006 ranks fourth in OSU history and 23rd in conference history.
His three touchdown returns are tied for second in conference history and tops in OSU history.
Stroughter’s 70-yard return against USC in 2006 ranks 10th.
Accolades/accomplishments:
Stroughter was named second-team All-Pac-10 as a return specialist in 2006 and 2008.
NFL:
A seventh-round pick in 2007, Stroughter played four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
— Aaron Fentress |
afentress@Oregonian.com
|
@aaronjfentress.bsky.social
|
@AaronJFentress
(X),
@AaronJFentress
(Instagram)
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Oregon State Beavers All-Quarter-Century team nominees: Punt returner
Oregon State Beavers All-Quarter-Century team nominees: Punt returner
Oregon State Beavers All-Quarter-Century team nominees: Punt returner