Oregon
Former Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers stars are among the biggest quarterback busts in NFL history
The Carolina Panthers’ decision to bench Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, shows once again the unpredictable nature of making choices in the draft. The Panthers decided to select Young, even though C.J. Stroud was also available that year. While Young has been benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton, Stroud was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 and is thriving in Houston.
Making the right choice at quarterback can mean acquiring a franchise player and success for years. Making the wrong choice can set a franchise back into the dark ages, cost the jobs of head coaches and general managers and saddle a player with the term “bust” for the rest of his career.
Here are 10 of the biggest quarterback draft busts in league history.
Terry Baker
Oregon State University; Los Angeles Rams – No. 1 pick, 1963
(AP Photo/Harold Matosian)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Baker won just about every award imaginable after his senior season at Oregon State, including the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year. However, his arm strength was questionable and he reportedly struggled throwing deep passes during training camp in his rookie season. He started at quarterback in the season-opening game and threw three interceptions in 1963. That would be his only start at quarterback in his three-year NFL career. He was converted to running back in 1964 and was out of the league a year later.
Jamarcus Russell
Louisiana State University; Oakland Raiders – No. 1 pick, 2007
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Getty Images
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Russell was viewed as a rare combination of size, athletic ability and arm strength after an amazing pro day at Louisiana State. Russell began his NFL career with a lengthy holdout and then reportedly arrived out of shape, a problem that continued throughout his NFL career. Weight issues and laziness ended his career after three years.
Ryan Leaf
Washington State University; San Diego Chargers – No. 2 pick, 1998
(AP Photo/Kent Horner, File)AP
Leaf and Peyton Manning were considered the top-two quarterbacks in the draft. The Indianapolis Colts possessed the top pick and wisely chose Manning. The Chargers, enamored with Leaf’s size, cannon-like arm and gaudy statistics at Washington State, gladly selected Leaf even though there reports about his immaturity. Leaf played two seasons in San Diego, finishing with just 13 touchdown passes, 33 interceptions and a 48% completion rate in 21 games.
Akili Smith
University of Oregon; Cincinnati Bengals – No. 3 pick, 1999
AP
Smith struggled during his first year at Oregon amid questions about his work ethic and commitment. However, he erased those doubts with an amazing season – 30 touchdowns, seven interceptions – in 1998. His accuracy was a shaky 57.3% in college – but the Bengals, still searching for a quarterback after the David Klinger fiasco, selected Smith. Smith reportedly struggled to learn the playbook and wasn’t eager to visit the film room. The Bengals cut him after he posted a 3-14 record over three seasons.
Zach Wilson
Brigham Young University; New York Jets – No. 2 pick, 2021
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Some officials in the Jets’ organization believed that Wilson was better than Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 pick of the 2021 draft, an indication of how delusional the staff was about Wilson. Wilson’s numbers were impressive at BYU, but what the Jets overlooked was he played behind a very good offensive line giving him clean pockets and all day to throw. He also faced one of the easiest schedules – including Navy, Troy, Texas-San Antonio, Texas State, Western Kentucky and North Alabama – in the nation during his breakout season in 2020. His days were numbered when the Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers in 2023 and they traded him to the Denver Broncos in 2024.
Trey Lance
North Dakota State; San Francisco 49ers – No. 3 pick, 2021
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)AP
It’s interesting how head coach Kyle Shanahan has received little criticism for this selection. The 49ers sent three first-round picks (2021, 2022, 2023), a third-round pick in 2022 to the Miami Dolphins to move up to the No. 3 spot to select Lance, a raw and relatively untested – he appeared in 19 games – player at North Dakota State. He was named QB1 for the 2022 season, but suffered a season-ending broken ankle in Week 2. Brock Purdy took over after an injury to Jimmy Garoppolo, guided the 49ers to the NFC championship game and hasn’t looked back. Lance then lost the competition for the backup job to Sam Darnold and was traded to the Dallas Cowboys the following season.
Art Schlichter
Ohio State Unviersity; Indianapolis Colts – No. 4 pick, 1982
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)AP
He was the last quarterback to start at Ohio State under legendary coach Woody Hayes. However, Hayes and successor Earle Bruce failed to acknowledge Schlichter’s well-known gambling problems that only worsened in the NFL, where his debts reached well into seven figures. Schlichter was suspended by the league after he went to the FBI and gave information on gambling bookies in 1983. Schlichter appeared in just 17 games with six starts in three seasons.
Andre Ware
University of Houston; Detroit Lions – No. 7 pick, 1990
(AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File)AP
The Heisman Trophy winner produced big numbers in a ‘run-and-shoot” offense at Houston and he seemed like a perfect fit for the Lions’ “Silver Stretch” offense, a version of the run-and-shoot that featured All-Pro running back Barry Sanders. Not so fast. Head coach Wayne Fontes favored Rodney Peete and Erik Kramer and Ware played in just 14 games over four seasons for Detroit, starting six times. After the 1993 season, Ware never played in the NFL again.
Matt Leinart
University of Southern California; Arizona Cardinals – No. 10 pick, 2006
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)AP
He was the quarterback during the golden age of USC football. He led the Trojans to an undefeated season and won the Heisman Trophy as a junior in 2004. There were questions about his accuracy and arm strength entering the draft, but the Cardinals were thrilled when he fell to them at No. 10. Leinart was okay in his rookie season – throwing for more than 2,500 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he did throw 12 interceptions in 12 games. Leinart started the first five games of the 2007 season, but was injured and placed on season-ending injured reserve and replaced by Kurt Warner. Leinart spent two more seasons in Arizona and was out of the league after the 2012 season.
Johnny Manziel
Texas A&M; Cleveland Browns – No. 22 pick, 2014
The Plain Dealer
He was the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, but Texas A&M’s “Johnny Football” admittedly didn’t take playing football too seriously and seemed more interested in being a celebrity than a quarterback. The Browns ignored his well-known penchant for partying and run-ins with the law. Manziel reportedly said he didn’t watch film on opponents before games and didn’t study the playbook very much. He was gone within two seasons, never to be seen in the NFL again.
BLUE RIVER, Ore. (KATU) — The founder of a former disaster relief nonprofit is being sued for allegedly diverting nearly $837,000 in donations and grants for personal gain.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed the lawsuit Thursday against the founder and executive director of Cascade Relief Team (CRT), Marcus Brooks. In the complaint, Rayfield calls CRT “a sham.”
Brooks is accused of stealing donations and government grants meant for disaster relief following wildfires and flooding in 2020, and using it for personal expenses including casino visits, travel, vehicles, and more.
CRT was founded in 2020 and was hired for cleanup and relief services following the Labor Day Wildfires that burned over 1 million acres across Oregon.
In Blue River, an unincorporated community in the McKenzie River Valley, the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire destroyed nearly 800 homes and burned more than 173,000 acres.
I am angry that my community was taken advantage of
Just months after the fire, long-time Blue River resident Melanie Stanley said CRT stepped in and promised help to the community.
“For us, it was…like a savior at that point,” Stanley said.
Stanley was the manager for the Blue River Resource Center and worked for Brooks to help facilitate recovery efforts. She said CRT operations slowly became questionable.
“None of us knew the level at which all of this stuff that finally came out was at,” Stanley said. “We knew that there was some stuff that had started to look hinky or feel hinky, or there was just some lack of communication that was happening. There were some other things that were happening, and so we just all were kind of guarded.”
In fall of 2023 the nonprofit was reported to have run out of money, and Brooks allegedly fired staff without disclosing the organization’s financial conditions and did not notify donors or beneficiaries. Stanley was one of those people fired.
The state now claims the funds that were meant to go towards communities like Blue River, never made it out of Brooks’ hands, including donations given by Blue River neighbors.
“I am angry that my community was taken advantage of, and I am angry that they now have to worry about trusting when something else happens, because we know something else is going to happen,” Stanley said. “We hope to God it’s never anything as big or as bad as what has happened, but you know, we also have learned that groups like Locals Helping Locals…they are our foundation, and they are because they’re us.”
The state is seeking to recover the money, permanently bar Brooks from serving in a leadership role at a charitable organization and dissolve the nonprofit.
Stanley said Brooks’ actions have tainted reputations.
“We as a community and as the people from the community who helped kind of put all of these things together, we did what was asked of us,” Stanley said. “We did help clean things, and we did help get things to provide, you know, more progress and get things moving forward, and we did good work, and so I just really hope that this is not overshadowed.”
According to Stanley, Blue River’s recovery now stands at 50%.
“We will be very picky from here on out about who and what groups gets let in to help with anything,” Stanley said. “And sadly, it may be to our detriment, but he did more damage now, as far as reputations go, and for that I’m angry. I’m very angry.”
The Oregon Ducks have been progressing through the class of 2027 with hopes of landing some of their top target’s commitment on both the offense and the defense.
With many names left on the board, the Ducks have started to receive some great news, including some news from someone they have been targeting since they offered back in January of 2025.
Darius Johnson Releases His Top Four Schools
One of the Ducks top targets’ in the 2027 class at the cornerback position is Darius Johnson. Johnson recently released his top schools with Hayes Fawcett, as he is entering a crucial part of his recruitment. The four schools he has listed at the top include the California Golden Bears, Michigan Wolverines, UCLA Bruins, and the Oregon Ducks.
Johnson is one of the better cornerbacks in the country. He currently ranks as the nation’s No. 178 prospect in the country, No. 20 player at the position, and the No. 14 player in the state of California, according to Rivals. Landing his commitment would be major for any of the schools, as he is someone who could see the field early due to his size, and his growing ability to lockdown a side of the field all by himself.
More About Darius Johnson
Johnson currently measures in at 6-1 and 155 pounds, and will be someone who continues to add weight through his high school program, and will eventually have the chance to really improve his frame when he gets to college. As of now, each of the four schools has a solid chance to win its recruiting battle, but there seems to be a clear leader at this moment.
The leader for the Ducks target seems to be the Michigan Wolverines, who have the only scheduled official visit at this moment. It seems likely that the talented prospect will schedule his other official visits sooner rather than later now that he has officially cut down his list. If the Ducks want to land his commitment, they will need to get him on an official visit because they are likely trailing at this point.
What If He Committed to Oregon Today?
If he were to commit to the Ducks today, he would be the ninth commitment for the Ducks in the class of 2027. He would also be the third cornerback commit for the Ducks in the class of 2027, which is a position they have been recruiting heavily. The cornerbacks the Ducks have at this moment are four-star Ai’King Hall from the state of Alabama and four-star Josiah Molden from the state of Oregon.
Some of their other commits at this moment include four-star EDGE Rashad Streets, four-star defensive linemen Zane Rowe, and four-star EDGE Cameron Pritchett. This class is shaping up to be another top-five class if the pieces continue to fall into place for Oregon coach Dan Lanning and his staff.
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Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson, after an impressive 2025 season with the Ducks, now becomes the leader at his position following the departure of star Kenyon Sadiq to the NFL.
With an Oregon offense set to return several top stars and bring in two talents at the tight end position, Johnson looks to not only improve as a leader but build off his impressive 2025 season, in which he recorded 32 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns.
Here’s everything Johnson had to say during his media appearance following Oregon’s scrimmage on Saturday, with the spring game on the horizon.
Everything Tight End Jamari Johnson Said After Spring Scrimmage
What He Learned From Playing With Tight End Kenyon Sadiq:
“So many, but one is training. Everybody in this facility harps on it, and it’s just a standard here. It’s like him from last year, that man strained his guts out almost every play. I just feel like I got to do the exact same thing or even more to uphold the standard.”
Stepping Up At Tight End:
“It just changed because obviously Kenyon leaving somebody has to step up and be a leader in the room, and me being one of the older guys, it just happens to be me. I just accepted that role, and I actually kind of like it, getting these young guys going, getting them in the playbook and getting them used to college football.”
Participating Again In Spring Practice:
“It feels good coming back. Feels like I have something to prove for me personally, I feel like I haven’t really done anything in college football. I feel like this year is that year for me to show everybody what I’m about.”
On Tight Ends Kendre Harrison and Andrew Olesh:
“Both good dudes, they both got that dog in them. Andrew, he came from Penn State. He’s been coming along well, getting in the playbook. Kendre, he’s a big, tall guy, getting in the playbook too. They’ve been getting after it, man. It’s been good taking them under my wing. Hopefully, we just get going this year.”
Goals and Expectations Ahead of Spring Game:
“I’ll say one expectation that we really try to harp on in the room is just going 100 percent. That’s with your effort, that’s with knowing the plays and just giving it your all. A goal is just to get in that endzone. That’s one of the goals for the tight end room right there.”
Why He Returned to Oregon:
“Like I said earlier, to me, I felt like I haven’t really done anything in college football. That was one of the reasons, and another is I wouldn’t say I’m not ready for the NFL, but like that’s pretty much what I’m getting at, is just like I have a lot of stuff to work on that’s within footwork and hand placement, block in the run game, and route details. Getting to the right depth and just touching up everything I can so when I get to the NFL, there’s none of those problems, it’s just the big problems I have to fix.”
How Reps Helped Him Improve:
“It really helped me. Last year, we ran a lot of twelve personnel at the end of the season because we had a couple of injuries, but that really helped me. This year, I feel like I’m coming in rolling off the ground. It’s just so much more fluent, and those reps really helped me with the playbook. Playbook is way easier now, and I’m getting a good feel for it.”
His Leadership Traits:
“I like to get the guys going. I have a real voice on the field, and if y’all hear me on the field, I get the guys going. I wouldn’t say I’m a vocal leader, but I lead by example. Vocal leader, probably something I need to work on.”
On New Offensive Coordinator Drew Mehringer:
“It’s been different. They’re two different people, coach (Will) Stein and coach Drew. My guy’s getting us going. I’m excited for this season.”
Supporting Dakorien Moore At Track Meet:
“Yesterday, that touched my heart, man. Just all of us going out there, and it wasn’t even just for Dakorien. It was really for Oregon. It was just more for Dakorien because we see him every day. That really touched my heart, and the connection is just unbelievable. I don’t think many people are doing that for their teammates.”
Quarterback Dante Moore’s Growth:
“That guy has his head on his shoulders at all times. He’s been growing consistently, but it’s a couple of different things. I probably can’t name them right now, but he’s been having his head on his shoulders. He’s just been on the climb.”
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