The Oregon Ducks start the 2024 season Saturday at home against Idaho. The Oregonian/OregonLive will count down the days with mini-profiles of prominent former and current Ducks whose jersey numbers correspond with the days remaining until the opening kickoff.
Today, No. 6 (part 2): Running back/wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas, wide receivers Demetrius Williams and Charles Nelson.
Also, see No. 6 (Part 1): Defensive backs Steve Smith and Walter Thurmond III.
• • •
De’Anthony Thomas
Bio: Oregon recruited Thomas out of Crenshaw High School (California). He originally committed to USC as a defensive back before flipping to play at Oregon. He became one of the most electric performers in program history.
Key statistics: During his career, Thomas split time between running back and wide receiver, in addition to returning kickoffs and punts.
He had a strong freshman season, finishing with 2,235 all-purpose yards (second all-time) and 18 touchdowns, which set the school record for touchdowns by a freshman.
Against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, Thomas had 314 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, with one coming on a 91-yard run play, setting the record for the longest run from scrimmage in the event’s history.
He was the only player that season to reach 400 yards in rushing (595), receiving (605), and returns (1,035 with two touchdowns).
Thomas received the 2011 CFPA Kickoff Returner Trophy, earned freshman All-America, and was named first-team All-Pac-12 by two publications.
In his second season, Thomas led the conference in rushing yards per attempt (7.6), gaining 711 on the ground with 11 touchdowns. He finished with 1,757 all-purpose yards (445 receiving) and 18 touchdowns.
The Maxwell Award semifinalist was part of an Oregon offense that helped lead the Ducks to a 12-1 record.
One of his most memorable plays came on a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game against Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Oregon Ducks running back De'Anthony Thomas (#6) on his way to an opening kickoff return for a touchdown to start the 2013 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl between the Oregon and the Kansas State Wildcats at the University of Phoenix stadium in 2013. - Thomas Boyd / The OregonianLC- The Oregonian
In 2013, Thomas was put on the watchlists for the Doak Walker Award and Heisman Trophy and was also a candidate for the Paul Hornung Award.
He suffered an ankle injury in September, causing him to miss game time. Yet, he still rushed for 594 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 246 yards. He also added another 513 yards on kick returns.
Thomas holds the program record for yards per carry in a season, 10.8 in 2011, and for a career, 7.8.
He rushed for 26 touchdowns (ninth all-time) and scored 278 points (seventh). His 5,345 all-purpose yards rank fourth.
NFL: Thomas was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft by Kansas City.
He also played for the Baltimore Ravens and in the CFL.
In 2014, Thomas was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
He ended his career with 3,136 total yards and seven touchdowns.
• • •
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Demetrius Williams scores against Washington at Autzen Stadium, in Eugene, Ore., on October 15, 2005. - Bruce Ely/The OregonianLC- The Oregonian
Demetrius Williams
Bio: Oregon recruited Williams out of De La Salle High School (California).
Key statistics: Williams began making a significant impact in 2003 when he caught 51 passes for 935 yards and eight touchdowns.
Williams struggled with injuries in 2004 but still led the team in receptions (47) and receiving yards (593) and had two touchdowns.
Williams’ 12 catches against Washington State in 2004 rank tied for third all-time.
His best season came in 2005 when he caught 59 passes for 1,059 yards (ninth all-time) and 10 touchdowns (tied for fourth). Williams was named second-team All-Pac-10.
He finished his career with 162 receptions (tied for fifth), 2,660 yards (fourth), and 20 touchdown receptions (tied for eighth).
His 11 career 100-yard games ranks tied with Troy Franklin for the most in program history.
NFL: Williams was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
He also spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Williams finished his career with 1,008 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
• • •
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Charles Nelson (6) during a game against the UC Davis Aggies on Saturday, September 3 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. Pete Christopher/Staff LC-LC-
Charles Nelson
Bio: Oregon recruited Nelson out of Seabreeze High School (Florida). He developed into one of the more versatile players in Oregon history.
Key statistics: Nelson did it all.
As a freshman, he returned two punts for touchdowns.
He led the Ducks in kick return yardage in both 2015 and 2016. His 876 yards in 2015 rank fourth all-time. His 879 yards in 2016 rank third.
Nelson’s 2,424 kick return yards are the most in Oregon history.
Nelson led the Ducks in receptions (52) in 2016 and produced 554 yards and five touchdowns.
He finished his career with 124 receptions for 1,555 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He also rushed for 278 yards and three scores.
Nelson totaled 4,561 all-purpose yards.
• • •
PRIOR COUNTDOWN POSTS
PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 24: Bill Musgrave #14 of the University of Oregon Ducks plays in a PAC-10 NCAA football game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 24, 1987 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)Getty Images
No. 7: Running back CJ Verdell and safety Chad Cota
No. 8: Safeties Anthony Newman and Jevon Holland
No. 10: Quarterbacks Bo Nix, Justin Herbert and Dennis Dixon
No. 11: Quarterback Dan Fouts
No. 12: Quarterback Chris Miller
No. 13: Wide receiver Dillon Mitchell and Cornerback Cliff Harris
No. 15: Defensive back Patrick Chung, wide receiver Keenan Howry, and quarterback Bob Berry.
No. 16: Quarterback Danny O’Neil
No. 17: Defensive back Rashad Bauman and quarterback Jack Crabtree
No. 18: Tight end Spencer Webb and linebacker Wesly Mallard
No. 19: The 1919 and 2019 Oregon Ducks Rose Bowl teams
Defensive back Kenny Wheaton and defensive back/running back Mel Renfro
No. 21: Running backs LaMike James and Royce Freeman
No. 22: Linebacker Derrick Malone Jr. and running back Reuben Droughns
No. 23: Running back/wide receiver Ahmad Rashad and wide receiver Jeff Maehl
No. 24: Running backs Kenjon Barner and Jeremiah Johnson
No. 25: Quarterback Norm Van Brocklin
No. 26: Running back Travis Dye
No. 27: Defensive back Terrance Mitchell
No. 28: Running back Jonathan Stewart and safety J.D. Nelson
No. 29: Defensive back Mario Clark and running back Kani Benoit
No. 30: Jim Shanley, Woodley Lewis and Dave Grayson
No. 31: Defensive backs Avery Patterson and Justin Phinisee
No. 32: Safety Jairus Byrd
No. 33: 1933 Webfoots and linebacker Tyson Coleman
No. 34: Defensive back Jim Smith and defensive tackle Jordon Scott
No. 35: Linebackers Troy Dye, Joe Walker and Spencer Paysinger
No. 37: Defensive back Talmadge Jackson III.
No. 38: Safety Eddie Pleasant
No. 39: Linebacker Kevin Mitchell
No. 40: Linebacker Ernest Jones and punter Josh Bidwell.
No. 41: Kicker Aidan Schneider.
No. 42: Tight end David Paulson and fullback Latin Berry.
No. 43: Center Brad Ecklund and lineman Ed Moshofsky.
No. 44: Defensive lineman DeForest Bucker, tight end Dante Rosario, and defensive back Jake Leicht.
No. 45: Defensive lineman Matt Toeaina.
No. 46: Linebacker Michael Clay
No. 47: Linebacker Kiko Alonso
No. 48: DL Saul Patu and LB Rodney Hardrick
No. 49: Defensive end Nick Reed
No. 50: Defensive tackle Popo Aumavae
No. 51: Offensive lineman Jeff Kendall
No. 52: Linebacker Tom Graham
No. 53: Defensive lineman Igor Olshansky
No. 54: Three champion linemen
No. 55: Centers Hroniss Grasu and Jake Hanson, plus linebacker Casey Matthews
No. 56: Offensive tackle Gary Zimmerman
No. 57: OL George Dames and 1957 Rose Bowl team
No. 58: Defensive end Kenny Rowe and center Jackson Powers-Johnson
No. 59: Offensive lineman Ian Reynoso
No. 60: Center Max Unger
No. 61: Lineman Steve Barnett
No. 62: Offensive lineman Matt Pierson
No. 63: Defensive lineman Vince Goldsmith
No. 64: Lineman Dave Wilcox
No. 65: Offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius
No. 66: Defensive lineman Taylor Hart
No. 67: Offensive lineman Jack Patera
No. 68: Offensive lineman Shane Lemieux
No. 69: Offensive lineman Bo Thran
No. 70: Fullback Bob Sanders
No. 71: Offensive linemen Mark Lewis and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
No. 72: Offensive lineman Adam Snyder
No. 73: Offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby
No. 74: Offensive linemen Kyle Long and Tom Drougas
No. 75: Offensive tackle Jake Fisher
No. 76: Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr
No. 77: Offensive lineman Carson York
No. 78: Offensive linemen Alex Forsyth and Cameron Hunt
No. 79: Mark Asper, offensive line
No. 80: Wide receivers Lavasier Tuinei, Greg Moser and Ray Palm
No. 81: Wide receiver Bob Newland
No. 82: Wide receiver Lew Barnes and tight end Blake Spence
No. 83: Tight end Ed Dickson and wide receiver Patrick Johnson
No. 84: Tight end Justin Peelle, linebacker Anthony Trucks, and Cam McCormick
No. 85: Pharaoh Brown, Tim Day and Matt Evensen.
No. 86: Wide receiver Paul Burleson.
No. 87: Wide receiver Greg Specht
No. 88: Wide receiver Dwayne Stanford and defensive lineman Brandon Bair
No. 89: This team ended a 25-year drought
No. 90: Tight end Josh Wilcox and defensive lineman Drayton Carlberg