Latest news with #Barner
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 6 — Kenjon Barner
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: Today, let's continue with No. 6 — the TD machine, Kenjon Barner. Player Overview Kenjon Barner will always be remembered in Oregon football history for his electrifying nature of play, as he was a threat to take it to the house on any given touch. Competing during head coach Chip Kelly's tenure with the Ducks, Barner was the perfect back to execute Kelly's breakneck speed offensive. Barner's combination of quickness, contact balance and overall toughness led him to being considered one of the top running backs in all of college football at his peak. As the years have gone by, numerous running backs have donned the green and yellow; but Barner's legacy lives on as one of the most beloved players in Oregon football history. Kenjon Barner's Career Stats 49 Games — 582 rushes, 3,623 yards, 48 TD Kenjon Barner's Single Best Season 2012 — 278 rushes, 1,767 yards, 21 TD, 20 catches, 256 receiving yards, 2 TD In 2012, Barner and De'Anthony Thomas formed one of the best backfield duos that college football has ever seen. They combined for 39 touchdowns, an unthinkable number in a 13-game season. Barner was the lead back, revealing himself as the perfect chess piece in Kelly's innovative scheme. Barner's efforts earned him consensus All-American honors and led the way to a 12-win Ducks season, capping the year off with a convincing Fiesta Bowl victory over the Kansas State Wildcats. Barner led the way on the ground, rushing for 143 yards on 30 carries in his final collegiate game. This was also the season where Barner set records against the USC Trojans, rushing 38 times for 321 yards and 5 touchdowns. Kenjon Barner's Historical Records Kenjon Barner NFL Draft The Carolina Panthers selected Barner in the sixth round with the 182nd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He joined fellow Duck Jonathan Stewart in the Panthers' backfield. Kenjon Barner's NFL Success Barner's nine-year career was spent with five different NFL franchises: the Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While his career rushing stats amounted to just 416 yards and three touchdowns, Barner was a key special teams ace, returning punts and kickoffs as well as being heavily involved in other special teams units. His last season was in 2021 with the Buccaneers, as he finished his career as a three-time Super Bowl champion. Kenjon Barner's Lasting Legacy While Barner's play on the field created countless memories for Duck fans, his lasting legacy involves the highest praise in all of sports: winner. Barner was a key piece on Oregon's 2011 national title runner-up team and had an All-American senior season in helping lead the Ducks to 12 victories, with his three Super Bowl rings in the pros just selling home the point even more. Barner's legacy is now living on in the media world as he carves out a career in the media world, working as a TV analyst and reporter for Big Ten Network. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Noah Fant ranked as No. 25 tight end according to PFF
When the Seattle Seahawks traded quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos prior to the 2022 season, one of the assets they received in the blockbuster deal was tight end Noah Fant. The athletic former Hawkeye has been in Seattle ever since, and unfortunately, he has not turned into the weapon many had hoped he would be. I for one have been frustrated at the lack of usage by the tight end position in general by both Shane Waldron and Ryan Grubb, and am hopeful Klint Kubiak will finally figure out a way to get players like Fant more involved. Still, part of the blame does fall on Fant as well. His best season with the Seahawks was his first one, where he hauled in 50 receptions for 486 yards and four touchdowns. In the two years since then, he's only scored one touchdown and his best yardage output was 500 yards in 2024. Advertisement The lack of production is why Pro Football Focus ranked Fant rather low on their tight end rankings. Heading into the 2025 season, Fant is (fittingly) at No. 25 overall in the league. Here is what PFF had to say about the presumptive Seahawks starter: Fant has consistently generated yards throughout his six-year career, but his touchdown production has dropped off over the past two years. He earned a 70.2 PFF receiving grade in 2024 but could see a dip in his production if rookie Elijah Arroyo, Seattle's second-round pick, is able to hit the ground running. It's not just Elijah Arroyo that Fant may have to worry about, it's second year player AJ Barner as well. Last season, Barner had 18 less receptions but found the end zone four times as a rookie. Had Fant not scored in the Week 18 finale, Barner would have had as many touchdowns in one season as Fant had in nearly three with Seattle. Fant is entering the final year of his contract with the Seahawks, and carries a $13 million cap hit. Seattle has the room to carry it, but it's hard to imagine he will be a high priority to re-sign for 2026, and it's hard to envision the Seahawks could net a good return in a trade. It will likely be one more season in the Emerald City for Fant as Kubiak gets Arroyo and Barner up to speed. This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks TE Noah Fant ranked as No. 25 according to PFF
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Noah Fant ranked as No. 25 tight end according to PFF
Noah Fant ranked as No. 25 tight end according to PFF When the Seattle Seahawks traded quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos prior to the 2022 season, one of the assets they received in the blockbuster deal was tight end Noah Fant. The athletic former Hawkeye has been in Seattle ever since, and unfortunately, he has not turned into the weapon many had hoped he would be. I for one have been frustrated at the lack of usage by the tight end position in general by both Shane Waldron and Ryan Grubb, and am hopeful Klint Kubiak will finally figure out a way to get players like Fant more involved. Still, part of the blame does fall on Fant as well. His best season with the Seahawks was his first one, where he hauled in 50 receptions for 486 yards and four touchdowns. In the two years since then, he's only scored one touchdown and his best yardage output was 500 yards in 2024. The lack of production is why Pro Football Focus ranked Fant rather low on their tight end rankings. Heading into the 2025 season, Fant is (fittingly) at No. 25 overall in the league. Here is what PFF had to say about the presumptive Seahawks starter: Fant has consistently generated yards throughout his six-year career, but his touchdown production has dropped off over the past two years. He earned a 70.2 PFF receiving grade in 2024 but could see a dip in his production if rookie Elijah Arroyo, Seattle's second-round pick, is able to hit the ground running. It's not just Elijah Arroyo that Fant may have to worry about, it's second year player AJ Barner as well. Last season, Barner had 18 less receptions but found the end zone four times as a rookie. Had Fant not scored in the Week 18 finale, Barner would have had as many touchdowns in one season as Fant had in nearly three with Seattle. Fant is entering the final year of his contract with the Seahawks, and carries a $13 million cap hit. Seattle has the room to carry it, but it's hard to imagine he will be a high priority to re-sign for 2026, and it's hard to envision the Seahawks could net a good return in a trade. It will likely be one more season in the Emerald City for Fant as Kubiak gets Arroyo and Barner up to speed.
USA Today
24-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks TE Noah Fant named potential cap casualty
Seattle Seahawks veteran tight end Noah Fant was a contributing member to the offense in 2024. The well-traveled pass catcher recorded 48 receptions for 500 receiving yards and a touchdown, surpassing his numbers from 2023. Fant is now scheduled to enter the final year of his contract in 2025. Fant is slated to carry a hefty cap number of $13.4 million with a base salary of $8.4 million. Pro Football Focus recently identified Fant as a potential offseason salary cap casualty. General manager John Schneider would save $8.9 million against the cap while inheriting a manageable dead money charge of $4.5 million, according to Over The Cap. Who could be released this offseason? 15 cut candidates: — PFF (@PFF) February 22, 2025 'Seattle's offense leaned conspicuously heavily on rookie A.J. Barner last season, which might be an ominous sign of things to come for Fant,' Bradley Locker wrote. 'The 27-year-old turned in a solid 70.2 PFF receiving grade, but his 34.5 PFF pass-blocking mark was the sixth-worst among qualifying tight ends. Given that Fant will be a free agent next offseason and that cutting him would clear $8.9 million, moving on might be the ideal play. After all, Seattle appears likely to keep deploying Barner and could land one of several intriguing tight ends in the draft.' It's true that Barner impressed as a rookie, totaling 30 receptions for 245 yards and a position-high four touchdowns. The Michigan standout projects to take another developmental step forward as a sophomore in 2025. Releasing Fant would create opportunities for Barner to be Seattle's go-to tight end this coming season. The 2025 NFL Draft also features a deep pool of tight end prospects. One recent mock draft from CBS has the Seahawks selecting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren in the first round. Schneider could conceivably draft one to pair with Barner, fielding a high-upside duo of rookies on affordable, team-friendly contracts. Fant is at legitimate risk of being released this offseason.
