Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 9 — Dennis Dixon

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. 

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, legacy, fan adoration, and NFL success. 

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 few weeks.

If you want to catch up, let’s take a look at how we’ve gotten to where we’re at in the rankings:

• No. 25 — Bucky Irving 
• No. 24 — TJ Ward 
• No. 23 — Tez Johnson 
• No. 22 — Troy Dye 
• No. 21 — Samie Parker 
• No. 20 — Patrick Chung 
• No. 19 — Kayvon Thibodeaux 
• No. 18 — Troy Franklin 
• No. 17 — Nick Reed 
• No. 16 — Jairus Byrd 
• No. 15 — Jeff Maehl 
• No. 14 — Walter Thurmond III
• No. 13 — Bo Nix
• No. 12 — Penei Sewell
• No. 11 — DeForest Buckner
• No. 10 — Joey Harrington

Today, let's continue with No. 9 — the dynamic Dennis Dixon.

Player Overview

Dennis Dixon is one of those players that Oregon fans will always tend to love on a deeper level than others. His stats weren't eye-popping, and he didn't leave Eugene with his name etched in the record books, but he gave Duck fans an inspiring figure to cling to who took the nation by storm for a few quick months in the fall of 2007.

Unfortunately, his lasting legacy in Eugene has more to do with what didn't happen, rather than what did.

A leading Heisman candidate for much of the 2007 season, Dixon left behind numerous memorable moments prior to a true sports tragedy: a torn ACL that ended his tenure at Oregon and caused issues for the rest of his football career. At 8-1 with the No. 2 ranking in the nation, Dixon saw his Heisman hopes and Oregon's national championship dreams crumble on a fateful night in Tucson.

Throughout his career, Dixon captured the support of fans immediately as he played some of the best football by a Ducks quarterback we've seen, and despite the heartbreaking finish, will always be known as an Oregon legend.

Dennis Dixon Career Stats

40 games — 5,129 yards, 38 TD, 21 INT, 12 rush TD

Dennis Dixon's Single Best Season

2007: 10 games, 172-for-254 passing (67.7%), 2,136 yards, 20 TD, 4 INT, 583 rush yards, 9 TD

Before his injury, Dixon was on an absolute tear in 2007. He was far ahead of his time with his ability to throw the ball at a high level while also being a true dual-threat with his legs. A testament to the season he had despite playing in just 10 games, Dixon finished fifth in Heisman voting and was honored as the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.

Dennis Dixon NFL Draft

After declaring for the 2008 NFL Draft, Dixon was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round with the 156th pick overall.

Dennis Dixon's NFL Success

Dixon was never able to establish himself as a pro, appearing in just four games and bouncing around on several teams for training camp and preseason contests after three years with the Steelers. He was responsible for just two total touchdowns.

Dennis Dixon's Lasting Oregon Legacy

Ever the consummate person, teammate and player during his time at Oregon, Dixon left behind a trail of excellence on and off the field. Still pouring into the community once his time with the Ducks was finished, the former Oregon passer will always be remembered for the 2007 season and one of the biggest "what-ifs" in program history.

Oregon has a storied history of excellent quarterbacks, especially in this century. While Dixon's numbers may not compare to those of the top tier of passers, the legacy he left behind will live on forever.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks football's top 25 players since 2000: No. 9 Dennis Dixon