Who is Eugene-Springfield's all-time best football player? Vote now!

Who is the greatest football player from the Eugene-Springfield area?

Let the debate begin.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture: the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities and defined their states.

First up, we're honoring the stars of the gridiron. Here are The Register-Guard's selections for the football players who defined the Eugene-Springfield area. While accomplishments at the college and professional level undoubtedly influenced which standouts cracked the top-10 list, we are primarily looking to highlight those who starred at the high school level and dominated local headlines.

As part of this effort, we invite our readers to vote in polls that accompany the stories, or submit a name they think should be included if they don't see it on our list. Print readers can find the polls with the stories online at www.registerguard.com/sports/.

Without further ado, here are The Register-Guard's 10 football players (listed in alphabetical order) who defined the Eugene-Springfield area.

Washington State quarterback and Sheldon High alum Alex Brink (10) is pressured by Oregon's Nick Reed during a 2007 game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

Alex Brink, Sheldon

Long before he became a prolific college football passer, Alex Brink was carving up opposing defenses in the Southwest Conference. The 2002 Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, Brink led Sheldon to the '02 state title and capped off an undefeated 14-0 season in the process. A two-time Class 4A first-team all-state selection at quarterback, Brink went on to star at Washington State. There, he racked up 10,913 career passing yards from 2004 to 2007 — the 97th-most ever by an FBS signal-caller. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Todd Christensen of the Los Angeles Raiders on December 18, 1983.

Todd Christensen, Sheldon

After starring at Sheldon High School, Todd Christensen went on to produce arguably the most impressive NFL resume for a player who spent their prep days in Lane County. During a decade-long pro career that spanned from 1978 to 1988, Christensen was a three-time first-team all-pro and a two-time second-team all-pro tight end for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. He led the NFL in receptions in 1983 and 1986 and helped the Raiders win a pair of Super Bowls.

San Francisco tight end and Pleasant Hill alum Russ Francis (81) makes a move against Minnesota safety Joey Browner during a 1986 game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

Russ Francis, Pleasant Hill

During his senior year at Pleasant Hill in 1971, Russ Francis established himself as a track and field pioneer. He set a national high school record with a javelin throw of 259 feet, 9 inches, which stood until 1988. As it turned out, though, his future was on the gridiron. Francis went on to play at the University of Oregon before embarking on a 14-year NFL career. He was a two-time all-pro tight end and helped the San Francisco 49ers to victory in Super Bowl XIX.

Sheldon quarterback Justin Herbert and head coach Lane Johnson celebrate after the Irish's 33-0 win over Clackamas in the OSAA 6A state football championship quarterfinal game at Sheldon High School in Eugene on Friday, November 20, 2015. (Andy Nelson/The Register-Guard)

Justin Herbert, Sheldon

Long before he became an NFL superstar and the face of the Los Angeles Chargers' franchise, Justin Herbert was a relatively unheralded college football prospect who spent his Friday evenings lighting up opposing Southwest Conference defenses. Herbert, who flew under the radar as a recruit after missing his junior season due to injury, was a Class 6A first-team all-state selection as a senior in 2015. That same year, he helped the Irish to the Class 6A state semifinals. As a true freshman at the University of Oregon, Herbert needed just five games to take hold of the Ducks' starting quarterback job.

The rest, as Oregon fans are well aware, is history. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Herbert was named the offensive rookie of the year after his debut campaign and has been named to the Pro Bowl twice.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback and Sheldon High graduate Chris Miller (12) in action against the New Orleans Saints in a 1992 game at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

Chris Miller, Sheldon

A trailblazer for Lane County prep quarterbacks who went on to star at their hometown college, Chris Miller was a three-sport standout at Sheldon before embarking on a decorated career at the University of Oregon. After twice earning first-team all-Pac-10 honors at UO, Miller was selected 13th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1987 NFL Draft and enjoyed a 10-year professional career that included a Pro Bowl nod in 1991. In 1999, Miller was inducted into the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame.

Tym Pearson, Thurston

One of the more sheerly talented athletes to ever come through Springfield, Tym Pearson was a multi-sport superstar at Thurston coveted by college football recruiters and professional baseball scouts alike. As a senior at Thurston, Pearson lifted the Colts to the 2008 state title game and was named the Class 5A offensive player of the year after passing for 3,760 yards and 44 touchdowns and rushing for 877 yards and 19 touchdowns. He signed to play quarterback at Portland State and was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 35th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.

Ultimately, he juggled both sports. After one year of baseball at Columbia Basin Community College, Pearson was selected by the New York Yankees in the 10th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. He spent the fall of 2012 playing receiver at Oregon State.

Portland State linebacker Nicolas Ah Sam, a former Springfield High School standout, plays Arkansas in a 2019 game in Fayetteville.

Nicolas Ah Sam, Springfield

The heart and soul of Springfield football during the most successful stretch in the school's history, Nicolas Ah Sam was a superstar on both sides of the ball for the Millers. A three-time Class 5A first-team all-state linebacker, Ah Sam also earned first-team all-state honors at tight end as a junior. He spent time as a dual-threat quarterback, too. Ah Sam, who went on to star as a linebacker at Portland State, was also a three-time first-team all-state point guard for the Millers.

Sheldon’s Teitum Tuioti sprints toward the end zone for a touchdown after an interception during the Irish's 2022 state quarterfinal home win against Lake Oswego.

Teitum Tuioti, Sheldon

During his lone prep season in Eugene, Teitum Tuioti was a one-man wrecking crew who terrorized opposing defenses throughout the state. The son of University of Oregon defensive line coach Tony Tuioti, Teitum Tuioti transferred to Sheldon ahead of his senior season and went on to earn Class 6A defensive player of the year honors after helping the Irish reach the state title game. He racked up 84 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Tabbed by 247Sports as a four-star recruit out of high school, Tuioti is in the midst of a decorated career with the Ducks. He earned third-team all-Big Ten honors as a junior in 2025 and put the NFL Draft on hold to return for his senior season.

Houston Texans Linebacker and North Eugene alum Kailee Wong looks on during a 2004 game against Jacksonville in Houston.

Kailee Wong, North Eugene

One of the more decorated college football stars to ever come out of the Eugene-Springfield area, Kailee Wong was a first-team All-American linebacker at Stanford in 1997 who twice earned first-team all-Pac-10 honors. The Minnesota Vikings selected Wong with the 51st overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft, and he went on to enjoy an eight-year NFL career. Before starring at the college and professional levels, Wong was a do-it-all running back and linebacker at North Eugene who was tabbed as the Class 4A co-offensive player of the year in 1993.

Oregon’s Josh Wilcox, a Junction City graduate, carries the ball against Penn State in the 1995 Rose Bowl.

Josh Wilcox, Junction City

A small-town star who went on to leave an outsized impact, Josh Wilcox was an all-state linebacker and tight end at Junction City. He carved out a role as a three-year starter at tight end with the Oregon Ducks and caught 11 passes for 135 yards in the 1995 Rose Bowl. Wilcox spent two seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and also won an XFL championship with the Los Angeles Xtreme in 2001.

Now, he is giving back to the community that helped shape his own football career. Wilcox served as Junction City's offensive coordinator under Tye Rauschert in 2025 and helped the Tigers to the Class 4A quarterfinals. Earlier this year, Wilcox was named the head coach at Class 3A Harrisburg.

Fighting Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola warms up during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning warms players up during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the field before the game during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Fighting Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart makes a catch during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Combat Ducks quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass during warmups during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Combat Ducks wide receiver Jovon McRae II makes a catch during warmups during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Scott Faudree with Food for Lane County loads a gaylord with food donations at the entrance to Autzen Stadium before the Oregon Spring Game in Eugene April 25, 2026

Aaron Gonzales from Estacada flashes the “O” outside Autzen Stadium before the Oregon Spring Game in Eugene April 25, 2026

Oregon fans tailgate outside Autzen Stadium before the Oregon Spring Game in Eugene April 25, 2026

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See photos as Oregon Ducks scrimmage at annual spring game

Fighting Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola warms up during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as Oregon Ducks scrimmage at annual spring game

Fighting Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola warms up during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as Oregon Ducks scrimmage at annual spring game

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning warms players up during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as Oregon Ducks scrimmage at annual spring game

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the field before the game during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

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Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore shine in Oregon football spring game

Fighting Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart makes a catch during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as Oregon Ducks scrimmage at annual spring game

Combat Ducks quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass during warmups during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as Oregon Ducks scrimmage at annual spring game

Combat Ducks wide receiver Jovon McRae II makes a catch during warmups during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

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See photos as Oregon Ducks scrimmage at annual spring game

Scott Faudree with Food for Lane County loads a gaylord with food donations at the entrance to Autzen Stadium before the Oregon Spring Game in Eugene April 25, 2026

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See photos as Oregon Ducks scrimmage at annual spring game

Aaron Gonzales from Estacada flashes the “O” outside Autzen Stadium before the Oregon Spring Game in Eugene April 25, 2026

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See photos as Oregon Ducks scrimmage at annual spring game

Oregon fans tailgate outside Autzen Stadium before the Oregon Spring Game in Eugene April 25, 2026

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Who is Eugene-Springfield's all-time best football player? Vote now!