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.
2026 NFL Week 5 snapshot (historical)It has been a rough start in Los Angeles. The Chargers were 0-5 through Week 5: they lost their first two games by the identical score of 26-14, to Arizona and then Las Vegas, then 24-16 at Buffalo, 30-23 at Seattle on Oct 4, and 23-17 at home on Oct 11 to Denver and fellow Duck Bo Nix. Against the Broncos Herbert went 14 of 24 for 121 yards, a touchdown and an interception, was sacked five times and ran six times for 54 yards. Through Week 5 he is 85 of 143 for 937 yards with 5 touchdowns, 7 interceptions and 17 sacks (ESPN game log) in his first season with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. At Seattle he went 19 of 31 for 189 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, and ran six times for 40 yards. His best day was the opener against the Cardinals: 17 of 27 for 209 yards and a touchdown. After the 0-2 start he shut down questions about the locker room's leadership, saying he trusts the guys in that room.
#6
Draft Pick
2020, LA Chargers
4
Seasons at Oregon
2016-2019
MVP
Rose Bowl 2019
Beat Wisconsin 28-27
2x
Pro Bowls
2021 and 2025 seasons
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. Oregon trailed 27-21 early in the 4th quarter, and Herbert's 30-yard touchdown run won it. 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 ran for all 3 of Oregon's offensive touchdowns, from 4, 5 and 30 yards. Down 27-21 in the 4th quarter, he broke the 30-yarder for the lead and had the Oregon side of the
Rose Bowl losing its mind. He shared Rose Bowl MVP honors with safety Brady Breeze. 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. Two Pro Bowls (2021 and 2025). 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, signed through 2029 on the five-year, $262.5 million extension he got in 2023. In 2025 he played through a fractured left hand behind a line that lost Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, ran for a career-high 498 yards, and got the Chargers to 11-6 before a 16-3 wild-card loss at New England. He and
Bo Nix are the two highest-profile Oregon quarterbacks in the NFL.
The Person
Herbert is famously quiet. Understated to a fault. After rushing for 3 TDs in the
Rose Bowl, a game Oregon trailed 27-21 in the 4th quarter, he was asked if he expected his legs to make the difference. His answer: 'Realistically, no. I just hope that we put up more points than the opponent.' That is Herbert in one quote. He came back for his senior year when he could have gone top-10 in the draft. He never made it about himself. He made it about the team. Cristobal was crying on the sideline after the Rose Bowl win. Herbert was just smiling. The quiet ones always hit different.
Key Games
2019
Oregon 28, Wisconsin 27
Rose Bowl. Down 27-21 in the 4th. Herbert ran for 3 TDs, including the 30-yard game-winner. Co-MVP with Brady Breeze. His last game as a Duck.
2019
Oregon 37, Utah 15
Pac-12 Championship. Herbert led Oregon to its first conference title since 2014.
2019
Auburn 27, Oregon 21
Senior-year opener in Arlington, Texas. Oregon led 21-6, Herbert threw 2 TDs in the first half, and a freshman named
Bo Nix beat them with a touchdown pass with nine seconds left. The Ducks won their next nine.
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
Second Only to Mariota
10,541 career passing yards and 95 touchdowns across four seasons. Left Oregon second in program history in both, behind only Marcus Mariota (10,796 yards, 105 TDs).
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. Two-time Pro Bowler (2021, 2025) and signed through 2029 with the Chargers.
Sources: Sports Reference, GoDucks.com, NFL.com
