WR Week Top Trio: Best all-time
As Duck Sports Authority continues its week of celebrating all things Wide Receiver, analysts Brandon Gibson, A.J. Jacobson, Dale Newton and Scott Reed put their heads together to determine the lineup of best all time Oregon wide receivers.
This proved to be a much tougher task than expected with much disagreement over both the players and their order on the hierarchy.
In the end it came down to a matter of counting votes and here is how the results shook out.
#1 Samie Parker
Samie Parker was a speed merchant from Long Beach Poly who, by the time he graduated, was one of the most-feared deep threats in the nation. In high school he did everything; track, football and baseball, and was one of California’s top overall high school athletes of his era.
For Oregon, he limited himself to track and football, including a startling 10.18 100m dash as a Duck. Was one of Joey Harrington’s favorite targets, hooking up many times including a huge 80-yard bomb as the Ducks clobbered Colorado in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl.
#2 Keenan Howry
Howry was an amazing dual-threat guy for the Ducks during his time in Eugene as both a receiver and punt returner. His 70-yard return for touchdown in the 2001 Civil War was that games’ decisive play and ranks among the biggest plays in Duck history. It put Oregon ahead for good leading to a 17-14 win and a Pac-10 championship.
#3 Demetrius Williams
Perhaps one of the most physically gifted the Ducks have ever had. The De La Salle product had 11 100-yard games for Oregon and despite battling injuries his entire junior season, finished his career 3rd all-time for the Ducks in receiving yards.
Honorable mention
Jeff Maehl - Started his Oregon career at DB but exceled after being switched to wideout. Was the type of player who hustled every play and made the most of his abilities. Great hands.
Bobby Moore - Moore started his career as a wide receiver for the Ducks but was moved to running back before his junior year. But he was so good he still makes the list.
Bob Newland - Like Moore, with another year of games the athletically gifted Newland would have made the top three list. In cahoots with quarterback Dan Fouts and Moore, the Oregon offense was one of the most feared of its time.