Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 16 — Jairus Byrd

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

Today, let’s continue with No. 16 — one of the beloved D-Boyz, Jairus Byrd

Player Overview

One could argue that Jairus Byrd was ahead of his time in the sense that he was a jack-of-all-trades defensive back who could play all over the field. As valuable as that would have been today, it hurt his recruiting stock nearly 20 years ago. He was not a major prospect when he entered Oregon, but his rare ball-hawking abilities allowed him to quickly rise to prominence and establish himself as a beloved member of the D-Boyz.

Jairus Byrd Career Stats

39 Games — 204 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 sack, 17 INT

Single Best Season

2007 - 13 games, 65 tackles, 7 interceptions, 4 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery touchdown

Byrd was a star from the moment he took the field with the Ducks, but his best season was undoubtedly his sophomore campaign. He exuded talent throughout his three years at Eugene, but this season specifically highlighted Byrd’s versatility as he wrecked games in multiple capacities, earning an All-Pac-10 honorable mention and helping the Ducks win the Sun Bowl.

Jairus Byrd Historical Records

• 2nd in Oregon Ducks Career Interceptions (17)
• 6th in Oregon Ducks Single-Season Interceptions (7)

Jairus Byrd NFL Draft

The star defensive back had significantly more national recognition leaving college, being selected 42nd overall in the second round by the Buffalo Bills in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Jairus Byrd NFL Success

Byrd got off to a wildly successful start in the pros with two All-Pro and three Pro Bowl selections in his five seasons in Buffalo. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his career after he left the Bills, but not before he had accumulated 524 tackles, 25 interceptions, 18 tackles for loss, 13 forced fumbles, and 4 sacks during his career.

Jairus Byrd’s Lasting Legacy

The Swiss army knife was one of the most electrifying players in Oregon history, with his knack for causing turnovers. He may not have been showered with awards during his time in Eugene, but the fanbase will always remember just how dominant he was in the secondary and celebrate him as a cornerstone of the D-Boyz. He helped revolutionize the complexity of the defensive backfield with his impact at multiple positions, an act that will always endear him to Duck fans worldwide.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks football's top 25 players since 2000: No. 16 Jairus Byrd