The gold standard for Oregon signal-callers, Mariota was just a three-star recruit when he came to campus in 2011. He secured the starting job ahead of the 2012 season — and he ran with the opportunity, throwing 32 touchdowns versus only six interceptions.
Harrington was a downright winner, as evidenced by the fact that he was a major reason the Ducks turned the direction of their program around under his leadership. His 25 wins as the starter ranks third all-time in program history, as he engineered 10-2 and 11-1 seasons during his junior and seniors years resulting in Holiday and Fiesta Bowl wins.
Playing for the program from 1970-1972, Fouts was the first great Duck QB. Although team success didn’t follow, as Fouts only won 15 games in three seasons and never competed in a bowl game, he was one of a kind as a passer.
Nix is in a similar position as Gabriel, as he spent the final two seasons of his college career with the Ducks. After showing immense talent but ultimately struggling in three years as the Auburn Tigers’ starter, it wasn’t a given that Nix would immediately claim the starting job at Oregon. But once he did, it was off to the races as head coach Dan Lanning and his offensive staff got the most out of Nix.
Though he was only Oregon’s QB for a season, he led a magical run through the regular season that saw the Ducks ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll for the back half of the season, along with claiming the Big Ten title — in their first season in the conference, no less. Gabriel was nearly flawless in that game, completing 22 of 32 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns.
