Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 24 — TJ Ward

USA Today

15 hours ago

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:
Top 25 Greatest Ducks Since 2000 Rankings
Today, let's continue with No. 24 — the BOSS, TJ Ward.
Player Overview
Oregon fans who remember the "D-Boyz" era will fondly recall TJ Ward. He was a hard-hitting, bone-crushing safety with a nose for the football and a mean streak that left Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson on the wrong end of a highlight reel.
In an era of Oregon football where the Ducks transitioned from a "good team" to a "great program," Ward was one of the centerpieces. He helped debut new uniforms and stood as one of the many faces of a burgeoning program that was turning heads up in Eugene. In an era of football where physicality was celebrated more than it is today, Ward was a hero. Many defensive backs will be remembered for the Ducks, and Ward is undoubtedly among them.
TJ Ward Career Stats
35 Games — 190 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
Single Best Season
2008: 13 games — 101 tackles, 6 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 4 FFs
In Mike Bellotti's final year, TJ Ward was a wrecking ball in the secondary, leading the team in tackles and forced fumbles. The Ducks went 10-3 on the year, losing to Boise State, USC, and California before going on to beat Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl.
TJ Ward NFL Draft
Though he missed some time in 2009 because of an injury, Ward was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft, with pick No. 38.
TJ Ward NFL Success
Of all the "D-Boyz," Ward had arguably one of the most successful NFL careers, winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos. Ward made three Pro Bowls during his career, once with the Browns and twice with the Broncos, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team in 2010. He was also named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2013. Ward announced his retirement in 2021
TJ Ward's Lasting Legacy
Over a decade after his Oregon career, TJ Ward is still remembered fondly in Eugene for his fearless play and tone-setting nature in the secondary, helping to usher in an era of success for the program. There are a select few eras of Oregon defense that live on in history, and Ward's "D-Boyz" stand the test of time alongside the "Gang Green" unit from the early 1990s. While he may not possess the raw statistics that some others on this list have, Ward's presence helped fortify the Ducks as they rose to national prominence.
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