The 2023 season of Oregon Ducks football was a fantastic one, to say the least.
Bo Nix led one of Oregon’s most efficient offenses of all time, Troy Franklin became one of Oregon’s best receivers ever, and countless other superstars stepped up all over the field. Regardless of only finishing in the Fiesta Bowl, this was a season to remember, and there’s a lot to love about the 2023 Ducks.
Following the pulverizing of the Washington Huskies on Monday (Go Blue!), I thought this would be the perfect time to reflect on the season and pick out some of our favorite players from the season, and start the offseason entering 2024 on a high note. For me, picking my favorite player of the season was an easy choice.
Bucky Irving has built and built and built his way up in this offense from the first day he got to Eugene. Photo From Craig Strobeck
As a huge running back fan, Bucky Irving takes the cake as my favorite Duck of the season. He improved immensely even from just last season, and while the stats might not show that much of a jump, nearly doubling his receptions and touchdowns builds a tremendous piece of his resume in Eugene.
The number of times he turned a “nothing-into-something” play around by putting a move on a defender, lowering his shoulder, or keeping that contact balance every NFL scout looks for was remarkable all throughout the year. He constantly reminded me of Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints, as plays would break down and he’d still find a way to get impactful yardage. Make no mistake: while Oregon often seamlessly replaces running backs, his demeanor as a back was special at Oregon, and he’s going to be missed.
I wish him all the best at the next level, and think there’s plenty of talent on this roster for head coach Dan Lanning to find the next starter in 2024 that’ll pair up with his running mate Jordan James. Whoever it ends up being, expect the same level of dominance with just a little less Bucky.
Anyway, enough from me, Oregon fans. Who was your favorite player this season? Who do you expect to take a huge step next year? Let us know in the FishDuck Forum with decorum.
Go Ducks!
Alex Heining
Los Angeles, California
Top Photo Via: Craig Strobeck
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Alex Heining is an Oregon alumni from the graduate class of 2021. After studying sports business and media studies, he has moved into the field of digital marketing as a copywriter and content manager in the Los Angeles area. Still, he loves his Ducks and goes to local high school games all over the Los Angeles and Orange County area to check out new recruits of the future (and a SoFi game or two with the pros). On any given Saturday, expect to find him doing martial arts, playing the guitar, or screaming at the tv over a missed holding penalty.