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Best Of The Decade:
Oregon's top 10 players of the 2000s - #10: Patrick Chung
By Brian Elder KVAL SportsThe first decade of the new millennium was a time of great prosperity for both Oregon and Oregon State. The Ducks and Beavers both enjoyed an incredible amount of success, highlighted by some fantastic players. Throughout the next couple of weeks, we will be counting down the 10 best players of the decade from each program, beginning today with Oregon's Patrick Chung. Chung arrived in Eugene as a relatively unknown safety prospect. But it didn't take long for the 17-year-old defensive back to make a name for himself. He burst onto the scene in 2005. Chung finished that season as the Ducks' second leading tackler, and he was named a freshman All-American by the Sporting News for his efforts. His best season came in 2007. He led the team with 117 tackles and also grabbed two interceptions. Chung was honored as a second team All-American by the Associated Press, and he was widely considered one of the top safety prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft. After initially announcing that he would forgo his senior season and enter the draft, he changed his mind and returned to Oregon for his senior season after learning that a knee injury would prevent him from working out for NFL scouts. Chung proved to be a vital leader for the Ducks in 2008, and he was once again one of the most productive members of the defense. He also enjoyed one of his best seasons on special teams, averaging 25.6 yards on kick returns. His signature moment might have come when he stepped in front of a Willie Tuitama pass and raced 31 yards to the endzone. The play put Oregon up 14-0 over the Wildcats and gave the team a huge boost in momentum as the Ducks jumped out to a 48-17 halftime lead (and they needed every bit of it as Arizona came storming back in the second half before the Ducks eventually held on 55-45). It was the only interception Chung returned for a score while he was a Duck. He finished his career as Oregon's fourth all time leading tackler - and tops among defensive backs - with 384. Chung also closed out his career with a streak of 51 consecutive starts. The two time first team all-Pac-10 selection was selected in the second round -- 34th overall -- by the New England Patriots in the 2009 NFL Draft. Most Popular |
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