Jan. 3, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Oregon Ducks running back Kenjon Barner (24) against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2013 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oregon defeated Kansas State 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

One player for the Ducks who hoped to get his shot in the NFL was Kenjon Barner. Earlier he tweeted to me during an EA Sports event conversation that he ‘would play for anyone who would sign him to a contract.’  The former Oregon Running Back now has that opportunity after being picked in the Sixth Round on Saturday afternoon by the Carolina Panthers with the 182nd overall pick. Barner wrapped up his Senior season with the Ducks rushing for 1,767 yards and 21 touchdowns. He will join former Duck Jonathan Stewart in the Panthers backfield.

Day 3 of the Draft was also good for Former Duck John Boyett who became an Indianapolis Colt with the 192nd pick of the 6th Round. Boyett’s Senior season with Oregon was shutdown before it started as he had surgery on both knees and was unable to do a lot of work in the NFL Combine.

Barner and Boyett join fellow Ducks Dion Jordan(taken #3 in the First Round on Friday) by the Miami Dolphins, Jake Long(taken #20 in the First Round) by the Chicago Bears, and Kiko Alonso(taken 14th in the 2nd round) by the Buffalo Bills on Friday.

At the conclusion of the NFL Draft several undrafted Ducks signed free agent contracts with teams. Former Oregon Linembacker Michael Clay signed with Miami, and will play with #3 overall pick from the Ducks, former teammate Dion Jordan. Former Duck Defensive tackle Isaac Remington signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Speaking of the Eagles…

Adding some intrigue to the Draft, former Oregon Coach Chip Kelly took former USC Trojan Quarterback Matt Barkley to start the day on Saturday. He will now be a member of the Philadelphia Eagles who will enter the summer with five quarterbacks on the roster.

also, Former Oregon Duck Running Back LeGarette Blount was traded from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the New England Patriots.

Oregon Ducks This Week:

Jan 2, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Kenjon Barner (24) carries the ball in the 2012 Rose Bowl game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Rose Bowl. Oregon defeated Wisconsin 45-38. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Former Oregon Running Back Kenjon Barner took some time to chat with Stephen A Smith and Skip Bayless this morning on ESPN’s First Take on ESPN2. Whenever you deal with Stephen A, he makes you think. One of the first questions was about why he’s not being named much this week as we head toward the NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Barner has worked hard to get where he is and is poised to enter the NFL before the weekend is out.

“It’s not about where you start, it’s where you finish.”

Kenjon Barner

The First Take crew talked about the Oregon season and the Stanford loss, as well as asked Barner about being the starter after following in the footsteps of LaMichael James. Talk then continued to the NFL Draft and his size:

 ”It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in him.”

He was asked who was faster him, or current Oregon player De’Anthony Thomas.

“He’s a different breed”

Barner was asked about his  former coach Chip Kelly making the jump to the NFL and Barner wasn’t shy in saying ‘Kelly was a genius’ when it came to football.

Finally, Barner was asked about his Southern California, Riverside hometown and why he left and went to Oregon for football. He said he needed to get away and start fresh, get away from the same old same old, that if he stayed ‘home’ that’s exactly where he would be every weekend.

Its about me going somewhere where I could become a man.

The full interview with Barner on ESPN First Take has yet to be posted.

Oregon Ducks This Week:

Jan. 3, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Oregon Ducks running back Kenjon Barner (24) against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2013 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oregon defeated Kansas State 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Several Oregon Ducks have found a way to find their way into the National spotlight even though the season is over. We already know about Dion Jordan, but one you may be asking abut is Kenjon Barner who has been highlighted in several areas over the last month. In case you missed anything, here’s an update:

It is quite a piece that Yahoo! Sports put together on Former Oregon Duck Kenjon Barner. If you know nothing of his background, or that he was named after someone else, the video is also a good learning experience.

Yahoo Sports! Dreamchasers: Kenjon Barner

Yahoo! Sports takes a look at growing up, playing in high school(his sport then was not football), to wanting to play in the NFL and the work he has go through in being 2nd fiddle at Oregon to LaMichael James before getting his chance to shine as the starter his Senior season with the Ducks and his prep work as we head toward the NFL Draft this week. Barner has also been highlighed by the folks over at ESPN, using more of his on the field talents.

Earlier this year Barner took part in ESPN Sport Science(kind of an ESPN obstacle course on steroids) that tests athletes in some unique areas. For instance – Barner made it through 1500 pounds of heavy bags in 2 seconds. He also showed great agility through those tests.

NFLDraftScout.com has Barner going in the 4th/5th Round, but I believe with his speed and agility, a team with a need could slot him in the high 2nd to low 3rd round.

Oregon Ducks This Week: