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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 14 — Walter Thurmond III
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? Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle 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. 15 — Walter Thurmond III Player Overview Walter Thurmond III's time with Oregon was very similar to Jairus Byrd, his teammate and fellow member of the D-Boyz. While he did not have a star ranking, he shined in high school as a two-sport star who was considered one of the fastest players in the state of California. Thurmond would immediately show the college world why they were foolish to pass over him, becoming a star with the Ducks. Walter Thurmond III Career Stats 41 Games — 253 tackles, 13 TFL, 12 INT, 3 TD Single Best Season 13 Games — 103 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 INT, 2 TD The star defensive back was productive during his entire college career, but his best work was done in his sophomore season. This is where the comparisons to Byrd begin, as Thurmond demonstrated excellent versatility in 2007, showcasing his impact in the tackling department, creating turnovers, and even scoring points himself. Historical Stats and Records Walter Thurmond III NFL Draft Thurmond's final two seasons in Eugene were injury-riddled, which tanked his draft stock considerably, falling to the fourth round where the Seattle Seahawks selected him with the 111th overall pick. Walter Thurmond III NFL Success Sadly, the success he had with the Ducks did not translate to the NFL as Thurmond retired after just six seasons. The one thing that did follow him to the next level was the injury bug, which is a major contributor as to why his professional career sputtered. Thurmond recorded just 160 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 3 sacks. But, the vast majority of those numbers were recorded in his final season, so his career ended with bubbling optimism. Walter Thurmond III's Lasting Legacy Walter Thurmond III is a name that could one day be lost in the annals of NFL history, but that can never nullify the impact he had at Oregon. He arrived on the scene at a time when a ton of other talented defenders peppered the Ducks roster and helped foster the culture that is in place today. One of the members of the legendary D-Boyz, Thurmond signifies a period of supremacy and defensive dominance that the people of Oregon will always carry with them. 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.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Will she or won't she? The California governor's race waits on Kamala Harris
The Democrats running for California governor have spent the spring and summer working to win over the powerful donors and interest groups who could help them squeak through a competitive primary election. But the candidates, and many deep-pocketed Democrats, are still waiting for the decision that will have the biggest impact on the race: whether former Vice President Kamala Harris is running. Since Harris lost to President Trump in November, the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom has been in suspended animation, with candidates trying to plan their campaigns without knowing who their biggest opponents will be. A few are making contingency plans to run for other offices. And some major donors are waiting to write big checks. 'It creates a little bit of a limbo situation,' said Tony Thurmond, the state superintendent of public instruction who launched his gubernatorial campaign in 2023. The Democrats in the race are talking to many of the same potential donors, Thurmond said, and most have the same question: 'Is she going to run?' The only answer, Thurmond said, is an unsatisfying one: 'We don't know.' Since leaving Washington in January, Harris has mostly stayed out of the public eye, settling back into her Brentwood home with her husband, Doug Emhoff, and talking to close friends and confidantes about what she should do next. She is weighing whether to leave politics, run for governor or run for president for a third time. She is expected to make a decision about the gubernatorial race by the end of summer. The Democrats who are already running for governor lack Harris' star power, and her entry could upend the race. But the former vice president would also face questions about her 107-day sprint to the White House, what she knew about President Biden's decline and whether someone who has run unsuccessfully for president twice really wants to be California's governor. 'She is looking closely where is the best place to put her energy and focus and her time,' said Debbie Mesloh, a longtime Harris ally. The few public appearances Harris has made this year — meeting with firefighters in Altadena, attending a high school graduation in Compton and headlining a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in the Bay Area — have been fodder for those trying to read the tea leaves. What does it mean that Harris skipped the state Democratic Party convention? That Emhoff has taken a teaching job at USC? Harris had originally planned to take a two-week vacation at the end of this month but has canceled her trip, according to someone familiar with her plans. Harris has also been in New York, where she attended Broadway plays and the exclusive Met Gala; in San Francisco, where she dined with her niece Meena at the high-end Japanese restaurant Shoji; and in Los Angeles, where she has shopped for groceries at a 99 Ranch Market in Westwood and the Brentwood Farmers Market. As the months have worn on, some gubernatorial campaigns have started to think that Harris' victory feels like less of a foregone conclusion than if she'd announced in January after leaving office. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Biden Cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter of Irvine have said that they will stay in the race no matter what. Veteran state Senate leader Toni Atkins of San Diego said she is also staying in if Harris runs, saying in a statement that 'while the vice president has her own path, our campaign is moving full speed ahead.' Former state Controller Betty Yee said in an interview this week that even if Harris runs, she is staying in, too. 'No, no, no,' Yee said, of the possibility of seeking another statewide office. Being governor, she said, 'is what I feel like I've prepared to do. I will be staying in the race and really leaning into my fiscal and financial background.' Yee said when she talks to donors, they want to know two things: how California can push back against the Trump administration, and what she will do if Harris enters the race. Dan Newman, a political strategist who's worked for Newsom, Harris and several of the gubernatorial candidates, said that the race is at an odd inflection point, with candidates who 'don't know who their potential voters are, because they don't know who they're running against,' and some donors who are waiting — at least for now — to write big checks. 'They've got a good excuse to not give, because even if they are a big fan of a candidate who's in the race now, they don't know if the candidate will stay in the race,' Newman said. 'Then there are others who don't want to give to someone who might run against her.' Eric Jaye, a political strategist who previously worked for Villaraigosa's 2018 gubernatorial campaign and advised Newsom when he was mayor of San Francisco, said he's hearing 'frustration' from donors who are ready to see the race pick up speed. 'They're not going to wait much longer,' Jaye said. 'There are going to be donors who say, 'We have to go. We're not going to wait for you.'' But even if Harris entered, that wouldn't be a guarantee that donors would back her again, including those who are angry that she spent nearly $1.5 billion in campaign funds in her compressed campaign for the White House in 2024. 'The money is very, very upset with her,' said gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck, a businessman and Democratic donor who is running for California governor. 'They're my friends. I'm part of that money. Everyone is thoroughly reeling.' The amount of money that candidates raise is one way to gauge their support — and prospects. That picture remains a little fuzzy, though, since gubernatorial candidates have until July 31 to report their fundraising hauls from the first half of the year. The only candidate to release numbers so far is Becerra, who said he raised $2.4 million since entering the race in early April, including a $1.1-million transfer from his congressional campaign account. Becerra's campaign has $2 million on hand, including the largest contributions allowed by law — $39,200 — from the politically connected Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Pechanga Band of Indians. Campaigns are required to report contributions of $5,000 or more shortly after they receive them. Those figures don't represent total fundraising, but can still show a campaign's trajectory. Three of the eight candidates have raised less than $100,000 this year in chunks of more than $5,000 at a time, state data show. Yee reported $71,900 and Thurmond, $32,500. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis reported raising $70,000, including $5,000 from Google. Her campaign said Kounalakis, who has been raising money since entering the race in April 2023, has $9 million on hand. 'I want to be clear that I'm in this race to win,' Kounalakis said. Villaraigosa, who entered the race last summer, has raised almost $1 million this year through large donations, data show. Atkins reported about $381,000 this year, and Cloobeck, about $132,000. Porter, who entered the race in March, reported almost $475,000 in larger contributions, according to state data. She also transferred $942,000 from her U.S. Senate account to her gubernatorial account, according to federal filings made public Tuesday.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Steve Thurmond of Forward Financial Advises Retirees to Review Medicare Coverage After Relocating in HelloNation
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What happens to your Medicare plan when you move to a new zip code after retirement? Steve Thurmond of Forward Financial in Chattanooga, Tennessee, explains that relocating after age 65 often triggers changes in Medicare coverage that many retirees overlook. In a featured article for HelloNation, Thurmond outlines why a Medicare review should be part of any retirement relocation plan. Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans are based on regional service areas, which means a plan that worked well in one county may not be available—or may offer different coverage—in another. Even Original Medicare users may find that their Medigap policy options change by state, sometimes requiring medical underwriting to switch plans. Thurmond emphasizes the importance of acting quickly during the two-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that begins once a move is reported. This limited window allows individuals to explore new plan options, compare networks and drug formularies, and avoid costly coverage gaps. A failure to review and adjust plans in time can result in higher out-of-pocket costs or limited access to preferred providers. In addition to coverage availability, retirees should consider how new regional plans address current prescriptions, provider networks, premiums, and deductibles. According to Thurmond, reviewing Medicare options is a vital part of managing healthcare expenses and ensuring uninterrupted access to care in a new location. The full article, Just Moved? Why Relocating After 65 Should Trigger a Medicare Review, provides step-by-step guidance for retirees navigating the complexities of Medicare after a move. About HelloNationHelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative 'edvertising' approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. Patrick McCabeinfo@ photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Steve Thurmond of Forward Financial Advises Retirees to Review Medicare Coverage After Relocating in HelloNation
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What happens to your Medicare plan when you move to a new zip code after retirement? Steve Thurmond of Forward Financial in Chattanooga, Tennessee, explains that relocating after age 65 often triggers changes in Medicare coverage that many retirees overlook. In a featured article for HelloNation, Thurmond outlines why a Medicare review should be part of any retirement relocation plan. Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans are based on regional service areas, which means a plan that worked well in one county may not be available—or may offer different coverage—in another. Even Original Medicare users may find that their Medigap policy options change by state, sometimes requiring medical underwriting to switch plans. Thurmond emphasizes the importance of acting quickly during the two-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that begins once a move is reported. This limited window allows individuals to explore new plan options, compare networks and drug formularies, and avoid costly coverage gaps. A failure to review and adjust plans in time can result in higher out-of-pocket costs or limited access to preferred providers. In addition to coverage availability, retirees should consider how new regional plans address current prescriptions, provider networks, premiums, and deductibles. According to Thurmond, reviewing Medicare options is a vital part of managing healthcare expenses and ensuring uninterrupted access to care in a new location. The full article, Just Moved? Why Relocating After 65 Should Trigger a Medicare Review, provides step-by-step guidance for retirees navigating the complexities of Medicare after a move. About HelloNationHelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative 'edvertising' approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. Patrick McCabeinfo@ photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
NBC Sports
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Connor Williams-led Arizona State goes from 'broken' to NCAA lead
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Too much winning is often the worst thing for somebody. Those were the words of Arizona State head coach Matt Thurmond after the Sun Devils failed to qualify for the NCAA Championship as the top seed in the 2024 NCAA Ranch Santa Fe Regional and winners of three of their past four events, including the final Pac-12 Championship. 'There's just a certain psychology that comes after you've been broken,' Thurmond explained at the time, 'and it's different than the psychology that you have after you win.' The healing process for Arizona State this season has included three wins, spaced evenly throughout the season, along with five runner-up finishes, including the Sun Devils' inaugural Big 12 Championship and the NCAA Bremerton Regional, where Arizona State cruised by 26 shots over Utah, which finished sixth as the first team out. If last year the Sun Devils were 'numb to the reality of what it takes' to succeed in the postseason, then this time Thurmond's team is fully aware. They entered this week's NCAA Championship relatively under the radar and as newbies having never seen Omni La Costa. Sophomore Connor Williams is San Diego area native, though none of his 100-plus rounds here prior to this week came after Gil Hanse's re-do. 'I was a little worried after missing last year that we would be behind as far as course knowledge,' Thurmond said. 'We had never seen it until the practice round, and I didn't watch one minute of coverage last year.' And yet through 36 holes, Arizona State paces the field at 13 under, three shots better than Oklahoma and 20 clear of Illinois, which sits in ninth and is currently the first team out of match play. The Sun Devils threw out Michael Mjaaseth's 1-under 71 in Saturday's second round and boast two players in the top 5 individually in Josele Ballester (T-5) and Williams, who is tied with Ole Miss' Michael La Sasso at 9 under, four shots better than third place. Thurmond was especially pleased with just six bogeys and no doubles from his counting scorers in Round 2. 'It's nice to get that out of mind,' Thurmond added, 'that we can play this course just like anybody else.' Nobody is playing it better than Williams right now. Williams, who is from nearby Escondido, wasn't the most decorated junior player when former Arizona State player Luke Potter, who now plays for Texas, told Thurmond shortly after committing to the Sun Devils in ninth grade that he should next look at Williams. 'He's not that good yet,' Potter said, according to Thurmond, 'but he does everything right, works super hard, is an awesome guy and we want him at ASU.' 'We started watching him,' Thurmond added, 'and he committed shortly thereafter.' With Ballester and Preston Summerhays soaking up much of the attention and expectations, Williams has sneakily developed into one of the best players in the country. He's ranked 35th in the country and tallied three top-8s in the fall. But he started the spring by finishing outside the top 60 in Hawaii and T-50 at Pauma Valley, missing the Sun Devils' win at the Cabo Collegiate in between to play in the Puerto Rico Open, where he missed the cut. He struggled for the next few events until Thurmond decided to throw him into a two-man, 54-hole qualifier for Big 12s with freshman Peer Wernicke. Williams won that qualifier, then finished runner-up at Southern Hills. He followed with a T-5 at regionals. 'That was big to get through that qualifier,' Williams said, 'and then have a good week at Big 12s and gain that confidence back.' Added Thurmond: 'People have no idea how good this guy is. He wins over and over and over again in drills we do every day in practice. … He hadn't been in a qualifier like that for a long time, but he deserved it. He had to prove to himself that he was the guy that should be there, and he did.'
