The Mighty Oregon Podcast

Senior year is typically the time when a college student officially enters the adult world. So long classes, parties and meet ups at the quad…hello career, bills and understanding what PMI is. But for Deja Kelly, the allure of one more college season has her putting down the Carolina blue for the Duck green and yellow. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is the newest member of Oregon’s women’s basketball team Deja Kelly...New Duck on Campus. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When I grow up, I wanna be a professional baseball player. That statement has been uttered by countless little leaguers hoping to one day make it to the show. For Jacob Walsh, that dream was just a phone call away. A top five first baseman coming out of high school, Walsh decided to bet on himself, turning down the big time lights of the Majors for the pop of PK Park. Now a junior and the Ducks all-time home run king, Walsh is looking to help Oregon make another deep post season run. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is Oregon baseball’s Jacob Walsh...Ducks Dig the Long Ball. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ariel Carlson is a Duck through and through. Raised in Eugene, the choice was never in question where she wanted to play softball, even as an 8th grader. The ups and downs of her college career on the diamond have led her to become a leader for the Ducks, whether that be with her bat...in the locker room…or even when adversity strikes. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is the Oregon softball’s Ariel Carlson…Follow the Mess. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Colleen Uzoekwe has always been ahead of the pace when it comes to her life. In middle school, she started attending community college classes where she was enrolled at the same time as her sister and mother. By the time she was in high school, she had already completed her junior college degree. Uzoekwe not only excelled in the classroom, but on the track as well. She was the Gatorade State girl’s track and field player of the year in 2020 before making her way to Eugene. Continuing to push herself, Uzoekwe was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, the worlds preeminent and oldest graduate fellowship, based at the University of Oxford. Never the one to limit herself, Uzoekwe is awaiting her next adventure while waiting to get in to med school. A balancing act she sure is accustomed to. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is the Ducks track and field star Colleen Uzoekwe…Time Managed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

LeGarrette Blount always had dreams of playing on the big stage. Scoring TDs. Championships. Parades. Repeat. Taking the junior college route, Blount transferred to Oregon out of East Mississippi Community College and immediately made an impact on the program, setting the school’s single season rushing TD record in his first year at Eugene. Blount’s senior season was tumultuous to say the least, but that didn’t stop the big man from making it to the NFL and embarking on a nine-year career as a pro, where he would hoist the Lombardi Trophy three times before retiring in 2020. Now a businessman and entrepreneur, Blount is taking those hard lessons learned on the field and applying them to his next phase of life off the gridiron. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is the former Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount…Champion Duck. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Farm land and the basketball court aren’t two things that commonly go together. Unless maybe you’re Ricky Roe from the 90's classic Blue Chips. Didn’t think you’d hear an obscure basketball movie references today did you? But for Maarty Leunen, the draw of small town living and farm land wasn’t enough to keep him off the court. His talents on the hardwood took him to Eugene, where he helped lead a plucky group of Ducks to the Elite Eight. Leunen spent over a decade as a professional basketball player overseas, experiencing everything the world had to offer. But now back home in Redmond, Oregon, Leunen is coaching high school basketball for the first time and passing along lessons he learned in his small farm town. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is the former Ducks power forward Maarty Leunen…Comfort Outside the Zone. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scott McGough has always had plenty of people in his corner. His father, a former professional baseball player, helped guide him during his high school career. After getting drafted at 18-years-old, he decided to take his talents on the diamond to Eugene, where he formed a special bond with assistant Coach Andrew Checketts. He was urged to enter the MLB draft rather than come back to Oregon for his senior year by the coaching staff, knowing what was best for him. And after years of trades, an injury and battling in the minor leagues, McGough has earned his place on the Diamondbacks roster…a place he can finally call home. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast, and this is former Oregon pitcher & current big leaguer Scott McGough…Safe at Home. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just a small town girl, livin’ in a…well, you know the rest. Jessica Moore comes from a town of less than 3,000 people where everybody knew each other and you could leave your doors unlocked at night. Excelling on the diamond in high school, Moore made her way to Eugene where she would again, excel on the diamond. Moore now enters Oregon’s Hall of Fame in her first year on the ballot. A testament to her skill as well as her impact on the softball program. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is Oregon softball Hall of Famer Jessica Moore – Just a Small Town Girl. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessica Drummond has always felt drawn to the game of lacrosse. She picked it up with her twin sister Jana on the East Coast, in New Hampshire, before eventually making her way West to Oregon. Once in Eugene, Drummond helped usher in a successful era for the young Ducks program. Drummond knew coaching was in her future, with a return to Eugene set as the dream job. That opportunity has presented itself this year and Drummond knew, just like when she picked up the game, it was the perfect fit. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is the Ducks new women’s lacrosse head coach Jess Drummond...It Just Feels Right. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When you’re weathering the storm, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For Tez Johnson, growing up in a rough part of Birmingham, Alabama was his storm. And the light at the end of that tunnel ended up being a family with roots in Auburn but ended up in Eugene. Johnson was taken in by Bo Nix’s family in high school, where the two became brothers. Nix went to Auburn before transferring to Oregon while Johnson headed to Troy before making his way West this past season. After a record setting season in the yellow and green, Johnson has found firm footing with the storm now behind him. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is Ducks receiver Tez Johnson…Walk by Faith. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been said that in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. For proof of this statement, look no further than JJ Birden. A speedster out of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Birden ran track and field for the Ducks but wanted an opportunity to get on the football field. So he walked on…literally. How does someone with a single touchdown in his college career get drafted into the NFL? An opportunity. Birden would make that opportunity last eight years in the league, playing with some of the all-time greats. And it all comes back to seizing the moment…whether presented to you or not. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is former Ducks wide receiver and hurdler, JJ Birden – Looking for a Chance. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’ve heard the saying, the early bird gets the worm right? Well even as adults, that’s easier said than done. How about for an 8-year-old? You’re more likely to catch them playing a video game than hitting the court at 6 in the morning. Jackson Shelstad fell in love with the game as a young kid. Coming from West Linn, he’s been around high level basketball throughout his life…and that led him to Eugene. The freshman has already made his mark on the Ducks program, something that goes back to those early morning gym sessions. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is Oregon basketball guard Jackson Shelstad...Rise and Grind See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeffrey Bassa has been a man on a mission since he arrived in Eugene. After making a name for himself in high school as the number one safety coming out of Utah in the 2020 recruiting class, Bassa enrolled at Oregon during the COVID year in college football, making the transition to the next level that much harder. Never one to make excuses and always putting the team first, Bassa made the switch from safety to linebacker in 2021, helping the Ducks to a bowl game in back-to-back seasons. Emerging as a team leader in 2023, Bassa has one focus, helping the Ducks at all costs, knowing the sky is the limit in the game that means so much to him. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa - No One Cares, Work Harder See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adversity comes in all shapes and sizes. It shows no prejudice. Hannah Pukis was shown this early, and often, in her volleyball career. Pukis has overcome multiple serious injuries during her high school and collegiate career while carving her place on the court. First at Washington State, then here at Oregon. As the Ducks are about to begin their latest playoff quest, there’s one last hurdle to clear and avenge their defeat from one year ago. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast...and this is volleyball’s Hannah Pukis – The Stage is Set. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When you’re a kid, you dream about what you want to be when you grow up. A football player. Work for a big company. A writer. Maybe start your own business. Well, what happens when you actually grow up…and do all those things. Garren Strong knows, thanks in part to his time in Eugene, that anything is possible as long as you can dream it. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is former Ducks wide receiver and entrepreneur Garren Strong…Just Dream It. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most college students want to travel the world once they wrap up their academic career. You know, the typical tropes when it comes to sightseeing. Backpacking through Europe. Train hopping from country to country. Finding a hostel in a quiet little mountain town. For Phillipina Kyei, she took the road less traveled to get to Eugene. Born in Ghana, Kyei moved to Canada with her mother as a teenager. There, she picked up the game that would ultimately bring her to the States and become a Duck. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is women's basketball’s Phillipina Kyei…Ducks All Over the World. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Geoff Schwartz’s tenure at Oregon came during one of the most memorable times on campus in Eugene. During Schwartz’s senior season, a talented offensive mind in Chip Kelly was hired as offensive coordinator and sprinkled the seeds of what the Ducks could do on the field. Schwartz enjoyed a successful career in the NFL before transitioning into the world of media, breaking down film as only he can, while trying to keep his Duck bias to himself. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is former Oregon offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz…Football, Family, Faith and the Ducks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many children around the country vividly remember the first time they got to go to a sporting event. Walking into the stadium and seeing the field for the first time is etched in their minds forever. Bryce Boettcher can trace his first experience in Autzen Stadium to when he was 8 years old and when he first thought, “I want to do that.” A dream has turned into a reality for the three-sport star in high school, who came to Oregon to play baseball, but eventually found his way to the gridiron. From walk on to special teams to now starting for the Ducks on Saturdays, Boettcher continues to work hard and earn his keep, all while helping the Ducks football team try to achieve wild dreams of their own. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is Ducks football…and baseball’s Bryce Boettcher …Dream(s) Come True. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mimi Colyer has made her mark in more ways than one on the Ducks volleyball team. On the court as a freshman, Colyer led the entire NCAA in points and kills en route to helping Oregon reach the NCAA regional finals. Off the court, Mimi now looks to step into a leadership role for the Ducks, filling the shoes of the departed Brooke Nuneviller. It’s a role Colyer has embraced, and she can’t wait to prove it with the team's play. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is Oregon volleyball’s Mimi Colyer…Bumped into the Spotlight. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New York City has some of the most recognizable fixtures of any city in the world. The Statue of Liberty. Central Park. The Empire State Building. Dive even further and you’ll find some of the most famous basketball courts in the world as well. Madison Square Garen and Rucker Park. So it’s tough when you’re trying to make your mark on the football field in the basketball capital of the world. Ajani Cornelius took his talents from the Concrete Jungle to Rhode Island University, where in 2022, he would become a standout for the Rams and one of the best offensive linemen in the FCS. The transfer portal awaited, and Cornelius found himself surrounded by the sounds of silence. This is the Mighty Oregon podcast and this is the Ducks new offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius…Now You’re in Eugene. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.