Kayvon Thibodeaux arrived at Oregon as a five-star recruit and left as the #5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. In three seasons, he recorded 35.5 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. He was a Consensus All-American in 2021. He was the most disruptive defensive player Oregon has produced since Haloti Ngata, and he did it while playing fewer games than almost anyone on this list.
2026 NFL Week 5 snapshot (historical)This is the contract year. The Giants picked up his fifth-year option, and Thibodeaux is playing 2026 in an edge rotation with Brian Burns and No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter. Through Week 5 he has 6 tackles, with the sack still to come, and he has started the last three: a 12-7 win over Tennessee in Week 3, a 36-24 win over Arizona in Week 4, when he made 2 tackles, and a 27-27 overtime tie at Washington in Week 5 (ESPN game log and game rosters). The Giants were 3-1-1 through Week 5, with the only loss a 28-6 game against the Rams in Week 2.
#5
Draft Pick
2022, New York Giants
19
Career Sacks
In 3 seasons
35.5
Tackles for Loss
3 seasons
AA
All-American
Consensus, 2021
The Dominance
Thibodeaux was unblockable at his peak. In 2021, he recorded 12 TFLs and 7 sacks and earned Consensus All-American honors. He had the combination of speed, power, and instinct that NFL scouts dream about. When he was on the field, offensive coordinators had to account for him on every snap. He changed game plans by existing.
The Oregon Years
Three seasons (2019-2021). The COVID-shortened 2020 year limited his stats but not his draft stock. He played under Mario Cristobal and was part of the defensive identity that carried over into the Lanning era. Thibodeaux was the last great Pac-12 edge rusher at Oregon before the Big Ten transition.
NFL Career
Drafted #5 overall by the New York Giants. Had 11.5 sacks in 2023, his second season. Injuries cut into the next two years: wrist surgery in 2024 (5.5 sacks in 12 games) and a shoulder injury that ended 2025 on injured reserve after 2.5 sacks in 10 games. The Giants picked up his fifth-year option, so 2026 is a contract year. The talent has never been in question. Thibodeaux remains one of the most physically gifted players Oregon has produced.
The Person
Thibodeaux is not quiet about who he is. 'The most ridiculous thing I have heard is that I am not the best player in this draft.' Asked who was the best dressed on the team: 'It is me. I am one, not two.' On his authenticity: 'When you meet me, there are no curveballs. What you see is what you are going to get.' He chose Oregon over Alabama because he wanted to explore journalism and business, not just football. He plays chess and applies game theory to film study. He graduated with a journalism-advertising degree. He collaborated with Phil Knight and Tinker Hatfield on NFT artwork. He founded the Jream Foundation for youth empowerment. Some NFL teams worried he did not take the draft process seriously. He went #5 overall and had 11.5 sacks in his second year. The swagger was never the problem. The swagger was the point.
Career Highlights
Fact
#1 Recruit in America Chose Oregon
The top-ranked prospect in ESPN's 2019 class, the first #1 recruit Oregon had ever landed. Chose the Ducks over Alabama, Florida, and FSU because he wanted off-field opportunities, not just football pitches. Was checking out journalism schools on visits.
Record
Oregon Freshman Sack Record: 9.0
Set the Oregon program freshman record with 9.0 sacks in 2019. Also set the Pac-12 Championship Game sack record (2.5) as an 18-year-old. Named Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Game
2020 Pac-12 Championship Game MVP
5 tackles, 2.0 TFL, a sack, and 12 quarterback hurries in the COVID-season Pac-12 title game. Won game MVP honors.
Game
Career Day vs UCLA (Oct 2021)
Career highs of 9 tackles and 4.5 TFL, plus 2 sacks and a forced fumble. Named National Defensive Player of the Week by four different awards.
Fact
Chess Player, Journalist, Entrepreneur
Avid chess player who applied chess strategy to studying film. Graduated with a journalism-advertising degree from Oregon. Collaborated with Phil Knight and Tinker Hatfield on NFT artwork. Founded the Jream Foundation.
Record
Part of Oregon's Top-10 Pick Three-Peat
His 5th overall selection in 2022 made Oregon one of only three schools (with Alabama and LSU) to produce a top-10 NFL Draft pick three consecutive years: Herbert (2020), Sewell (2021), Thibodeaux (2022).
NFL
11.5-Sack Breakout Season
Led the Giants with 11.5 sacks in 2023. First Giants defender with 21+ sacks in his first 3 seasons since Jason Pierre-Paul.
Fact
From South Central LA
Grew up in South Central Los Angeles. Attended Oaks Christian School. Named USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year with 54 career sacks in high school.
Sources: Sports Reference, GoDucks.com, NFL.com
