Oregon's top 10 players of the 2000s: #9 - Samie Parker
The countdown of the best Ducks and Beavers of the decade continues with one of the fastest players to ever put on an Oregon uniform.
There are fast players, and then there's Samie Parker. Football teams from high school all the way up through the NFL search for players like Parker: Guys with track speed who can actually catch the football.
When Parker arrived at the University of Oregon the track team was every bit as excited about his potential as a sprinter as the football team was about his ability as a wide receiver. He went on to become a two-time All-American for the track team, and his 10.18 time in the 100 meter dash is the second best mark in Oregon history.
But as impressive as he was burning up the straightaways at Hayward Field, Parker was even better on the turf at Autzen Stadium.
Parker's breakout game as a Duck came against Arizona in Tuscon during the 2001 season. Oregon was ranked in the top 10, but had yet to put together a dominant performance four games into the season. That all changed that evening at Arizona Stadium.
The Ducks put on an offensive clinic, with Parker playing a huge role with six receptions for160 yards and a touchdown as Oregon rolled to a 63-28 victory.
His most recognizable moment as a Duck came on the biggest stage of all. Tied at seven with third-ranked Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl, Parker blew the game open and showed off his world class speed when he hauled in a 79-yard bomb from Joey Harrington to put the Ducks ahead for good 14-7 on the way to a 38-16 victory.
Two years later as a senior, Parker went on to become Oregon's career leader in receptions (178) and receiving yards (2,761). He finished the 2003 campaign with 77 catches for 1,088 yards and seven touchdowns.
In his final game as a Duck in the 2003 Sun Bowl, he caught 16 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns - all Sun Bowl records. He was given the game's MVP award, even though Oregon lost to Minnesota 31-30.
Parker went on to be drafted in the fourth round - 105th overall - by the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2004 NFL Draft.
