Oregon Football 2011: 10 Former Stars Who Couldn't Start Today

Have you ever sat back and wondered which former Oregon Duck greats could start on today's team?

It would be hard to conclude such a thing since the style and speed of the game drastically changes from generation to generation.

For example, would Bobby Moore—otherwise known as Ahmad Rashad—be just as effective if he played against today's competition? He surely dominated college football in the 1960's, but it's a completely different game today.

To avoid this ambiguity, I will stray away from mentioning the old-timers and stick to talking about the players who played for the Ducks more recently.

Here's a list of 10 all-time Duck greats who probably couldn't start on on today's team.

10. Reuben Droughns

When Duck fans think about bruising running backs, Reuben Droughns might come to mind. 

At 5'11" and 215 pounds, he must not have been much fun to tackle.

On the Ducks current roster, a physical running back could be exactly what the doctor ordered. However, I doubt he would be able to overtake LaMichael James' starting spot on the depth chart.

9. Kellen Clemens

Kellen Clemens was certainly one of the better quarterbacks in Ducks history.

However, today's offense calls for a mobile quarterback to can move the chains with his legs.

Scrambling is not Clemens' forte so I doubt he would be able to start over the Ducks current quarterback Darron Thomas.

8. Kenny Wheaton

If you have ever attended a game at Autzen Stadium, you might chuckle when you watch this video.

Before every kickoff, "the pick" is replayed on the jumbotron and the crowd always reacts as if the play happened just yesterday.

7. Terrence Whitehead

If Whitehead played at least one more season for the Ducks, he possibly could've become Oregon's all-time leading rusher.

However, only being the starter for two seasons forced him to settle for eight on the all-time list, which still isn't anything to be ashamed of.

However, with LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner already on the roster, I don't think Whitehead would see the field too often if he played today.

6. Jaison Williams

It's scary to think about how good Jaison Williams actually could've been for the Ducks.

Unfortunately for the 6'5" receiver, dropped passes tainted his career with Oregon and he quickly became a distant memory.

Dropped passes would not be something that Oregon would tolerate because every down where no yards are gained cripple the offense.

5. Keith Lewis

There could be a chance that "Killa Keith Lewis" could start on today's team. However, with Eddie Pleasant and John Boyett currently roaming in the secondary, there simply might not be enough room for Lewis.

The hard-hitting safety was a one-man highlight reel and seemed to always deliver at least one big hit a game.

4. J.D. Nelson

J.D. Nelson was simply one of the most well-rounded defensive backs to play for the Ducks.

He relied on his instincts and anticipation rather than his athletic ability to become one of the leaders in the Ducks secondary.

However, I don't think his intelligence would be enough to start over John Boyett or Eddie Pleasant at this time.

3. Ricky Whittle

Whittle is considered to be one of the best Oregon running backs of all time.

He officially made a name for himself his senior year when he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns.

That terrific senior season was enough to get the electrifying running back drafted in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL draft.

2. Jeramiah Johnson

The Ducks backfield when it consisted of Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount was certainly a lot of fun to watch.

However, I doubt he would be able to find himself playing in front of Kenjon Barner who is a similar type of player.

1. Jeremiah Masoli

It's actually a very intriguing question if you think about it: Would Jeremiah Masoli still be starting over Darron Thomas if he was still on the team?

Masoli's physicality would add another element to Oregon's offense which was missing a bruising runner last year.

However, Thomas is the much better passer and probably the more effective runner and I believe the current Oregon offense is better suited for Thomas' style of play.