Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 15 — Jeff Maehl

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
• No. 16 — Jairus Byrd

Today, let’s continue with No. 15 — one of the best and most unassuming receivers in Oregon history, Jeff Maehl

Player Overview

Straight out of the mold of a Steve Largent or a Wes Walker, Oregon's Jeff Maehl was always the go-to guy when you desperately needed a first down, a big play, or a touchdown. He was always open at the most crucial times and was the perfect receiver for Chip Kelly's offense, serving as a huge cog in Oregon's national title run in 2010.

Jeff Maehl Career Stats

52 games, 178 catches, 2,311 yards, 24 touchdowns

Single Best Season

2010 - 13 games, 77 catches, 1,076 yards, 12 touchdowns

After two nice seasons at receiver, Maehl had a breakout season in 2010, where he led the Ducks in receiving by a large margin. He had four games where he gained over 100 yards, including an eight-reception, 145-yard, three-touchdown performance at USC that helped the Ducks win 53-32 in the Coliseum. Maehl also delivered in the BCS National Championship Game, where he caught nine passes for 133 yards and the two-point attempt that briefly tied the game at 19 late in the fourth quarter.

Jeff Maehl Historical Records

• Honorable Mention All-American
• First Team All-Pac-10 (2010)
• 1st in receptions (single season) with 77
• 1st in receptions (career) with 178
• 1st in touchdowns (career) with 24
• School record with 9 straight games with a TD reception
• Made one catch in 34 straight games
• 7th all-time in school history with 2,311 receiving yards

Jeff Maehl NFL Draft

Unbelievably, Maehl went undrafted in the 2011 NFL selection process, but signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent.

Jeff Maehl NFL Success

Unfortunately, Maehl didn't experience the same success on the professional level as he did at Oregon. He played just three games for the Texans in 2011 before getting hurt and sat out the entire 2012 season. When Chip Kelly moved on from the Ducks and went to the Eagles, Maehl followed his old coach to the City of Brotherly Love.

Maehl played in all 16 games in 2013, mostly on special teams, but he did catch four balls for 67 yards and a touchdown, his only score in the NFL. He played in just eight games in 2014 before retiring.

Jeff Maehl's Lasting Legacy

If Maehl played in today's game, he would have most likely entered the transfer portal after his freshman season and would have never made an impact as an Oregon Duck. He's proof that if you hang with it and work hard, good things will happen.

As a result, Maehl was the perfect player at the perfect time for the Ducks. He fit into the Chip Kelly offense as well as any receiver in that era. Maehl was a crowd favorite and became the Maehl-man who always delivered. He set the stage for the Devon Allens and later receivers like De'Anthony Thomas and Tez Johnson. Every team needs a Jeff Maehl on their team.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks football's top 25 players since 2000: No. 15 Jeff Maehl