Justin Herbert: The Franchise
Rose Bowl MVP. #6 pick. The most complete passer Oregon ever produced.
Justin Herbert played four years at Oregon when he could have left after three. He came back for his senior season, won the Rose Bowl, earned MVP honors, and became the #6 overall pick. He is now a franchise quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers and the most successful Oregon QB in NFL history. His arm talent was obvious from the moment he stepped on campus. His willingness to stay one more year told you everything about the person.
#6
Draft Pick
2020, LA Chargers
4
Seasons at Oregon
2016-2019
MVP
Rose Bowl 2019
Beat Wisconsin 28-27
Pro Bowl
NFL Honors
Franchise QB
The Senior Year Decision
Herbert was a projected first-round pick after his junior year. He could have left. Most players with his draft stock do. Instead he came back to Oregon for one more season, one more shot at something special. The 2019 team went 12-2, won the Pac-12 Championship, and beat Wisconsin 28-27 in the Rose Bowl in one of the greatest comebacks in the game's history. Herbert trailed by 14 in the 4th quarter and brought Oregon all the way back. It was his last game as a Duck and he left everything on that field.
The Rose Bowl
Oregon 28, Wisconsin 27. January 1, 2020. Herbert threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for another. Down 14 in the 4th quarter, he engineered a comeback that had the Oregon side of the Rose Bowl losing its mind. He was named Rose Bowl MVP. His coach, Mario Cristobal, was in tears on the sideline. It was the perfect ending to a career that defined what patience and loyalty look like in the modern era of college football.
Why He Mattered
Herbert proved that Oregon could develop an NFL franchise quarterback. Mariota was first, but Herbert showed it was not a one-time event. He started as a true freshman in 2016, grew through two coaching changes (Helfrich to Taggart to Cristobal), and still became the highest-drafted Oregon QB since Mariota. His NFL success (Pro Bowl, franchise QB, one of the highest-paid players in the league) validates the Oregon quarterback pipeline that now includes Nix, Gabriel, and Moore.
NFL Career
Drafted #6 overall by the LA Chargers in 2020. Pro Bowler. One of the strongest arms in the NFL. Herbert has thrown for over 4,000 yards in multiple seasons and is the face of the Chargers franchise. He and Bo Nix are currently the two highest-profile Oregon quarterbacks in the NFL.
Key Games
2019
Oregon 28, Wisconsin 27
Rose Bowl. Down 14 in the 4th. Herbert threw 3 TDs and ran for 1. Rose Bowl MVP. His last game as a Duck.
2019
Oregon 37, Wisconsin 35
Pac-12 Championship. Herbert led Oregon to its first conference title since 2014.
2018
Oregon 7, Auburn 27
Season opener under new coach Mario Cristobal. A rough start, but Oregon went 9-4 the rest of the way.
Career Highlights
Fact
Hometown Hero from Eugene
Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. Attended Sheldon High School just miles from Autzen Stadium. His only other FBS offers were Northern Arizona and Portland State. Oregon nearly missed on its own hometown kid.
Record
Oregon's All-Time Passing Leader
10,541 career passing yards and 95 touchdowns across four seasons. Left Oregon as the program's career leader in both categories, surpassing Marcus Mariota.
Game
2020 Rose Bowl: Won It With His Legs
Oregon 28, Wisconsin 27. Herbert threw for only 138 yards but ran for 3 touchdowns (4, 5, and 30 yards). Oregon won despite only 204 total yards, the fewest by a Rose Bowl winner in 40 years. 21 points came off Wisconsin turnovers.
Fact
Three Head Coaches, One QB
Herbert played under Mark Helfrich (2016), Willie Taggart (2017), and Mario Cristobal (2018-2019). He adapted and improved through each coaching change, going from a 4-8 true freshman season to a 12-2 Pac-12 championship.
Stat
Senior Year Decision Paid Off
After 2018, Herbert was projected as a top-10 draft pick. He came back for his senior year, went 12-2, won the Pac-12, won the Rose Bowl, and was still drafted 6th overall. Career bests in every passing category.
Fact
Scholar-Athlete
Majored in biology at Oregon and completed his degree before his senior season. Known as one of the most academically accomplished quarterbacks in program history.
Game
2018: Overtime Upset of #7 Washington
Led Oregon to a 30-27 overtime victory over the Huskies at Autzen. One of the signature wins of his career.
NFL
Rookie of the Year, Franchise QB
Won 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with 4,336 yards and 31 TDs, setting the rookie TD record. Pro Bowler and one of the highest-paid players in football with the Chargers.
Sources: Sports Reference, GoDucks.com, NFL.com
What's your favorite Justin Herbert moment at Oregon?
you hear it building...
end of the third quarter...
54,000 on their feet
AUTZEN IS SHAKING
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