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Oregon Football: Top 3 All-American candidates for 2021 season

By Connor Muldowney

EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 07: Noah Sewell #1 of the Oregon Ducks in action against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on November 07, 2020 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 07: Noah Sewell #1 of the Oregon Ducks in action against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on November 07, 2020 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Sep 7, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) reacts after making a tackle on Nevada Wolf Pack punter Quinton Conaway (35) in the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Sep 7, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) reacts after making a tackle on Nevada Wolf Pack punter Quinton Conaway (35) in the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Believe it or not, Oregon has never had a unanimous All-American selection on the defensive side of the ball. In fact, Penei Sewell, Marcus Mariota, and LaMichael James were the only unanimous selections in school history. Kayvon Thibodeaux has a good chance to change that.

The former five-star defensive end is projected by draft experts to be the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. He also said that he wants to win the Heisman.

Is this just a case of too much hype? Absolutely not.

Thibodeaux is that good. He has a chance to be the best defensive end prospect in years and his potential has been flashed for two years in Eugene and he’s barely even scratched the surface — which is a scary thought. He has recorded 77 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and six pass deflections in 20 career games. He’s a monster.

I think we’re about to see one of the best seasons of any defensive end in recent memory in 2021, especially since he has openly stated that he wants to contend for the Heisman Trophy.

With those expectations, anything less than an All-American selection would be a huge disappointment. As long as he stays healthy, that looks likely.

Next. 3 true freshmen who could start in 2021. dark

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