The 2001 NFL draft proved to be a bonanza for Oregon State. It proved to be even better for the Cincinnati Bengals.
In 2000, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh combined to catch 85 passes for 1,536 yards and 15 touchdowns, helping Oregon State win a school-record 11 games. The Beavers finished a surprising 11-1 for a No. 4 final ranking in The Associated Press poll. The Bengals then drafted both of the wideouts – Johnson in the second round and Houshmandzadeh in the seventh.
Over the next eight seasons, they would form one of the NFL’s most dynamic pass-catching tandems, first with Jon Kitna throwing the ball and then Carson Palmer. Johnson and Houshmandzadeh combined to catch 1,119 passes for 13,787 yards and 90 touchdowns during that stretch.
Johnson had six 1,000-yard seasons and Houshmandzadeh two. Johnson led the NFL with his 1,369 receiving yards in 2006 and Houshmandzadeh led the league with his 112 receptions in 2007. Johnson caught 10 touchdown passes in 2003 and Houshmandzadeh 12 in 2007. Johnson went to five Pro Bowls and Houshmandzadeh one.
The Beavers also produced a worthy predecessor (Bob Grim) and successor (Brandin Cooks) on the flank. Grim was a second-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 1967 who caught 194 passes for 2,914 yards and 16 touchdowns over his 11 seasons. He played in two Super Bowls and was selected to one Pro Bowl.
Cooks was a first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2014. He has caught 601 passes for 8,198 yards and 47 touchdowns over the last nine seasons. Cooks has posted six 1,000-yard seasons and played in a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. My only regret in putting together this team is not being able to find a place for linebacker Jack “Mad Dog” O’Billovich…
Here is the all-time Oregon State NFL team featuring Johnson and Houshmandzadeh:
QB—Derek Anderson, Pro Bowl, 13 seasons, 20-29 record, 60 TD passes
HB—Steven Jackson, 3 Pro Bowls, 12 seasons, 11,438 rushing yards, 61 TDs
RB—Paul Lowe, 2 Pro Bowls, 1965 AFL rushing champion (1,121 yards)
WR—Chad Johnson, 6 Pro Bowls, 11 seasons, 766 receptions, 67 touchdowns
WR—T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Pro Bowl, 11 seasons, 627 receptions, 44 touchdowns
TE—Aaron Thomas, Pro Bowl, 10 seasons, 262 receptions, 32 touchdowns
T—Rockne Freitas, Pro Bowl, 11 seasons, 117 starts
T—Mike Remmers, 9 seasons, 90 starts
G—Andy Levitre, Pro Bowl, 10 seasons, 143 starts
G—Darrick Brilz, 12 seasons, 124 starts
C—Roman Fortin, 10 seasons, 102 starts
DE—Ron East, 10 seasons, 70 starts, 28 sacks
DE—DeLawrence Grant, 5 seasons, 27 starts, 7 sacks
DT—Vic Sears, 12 seasons, 108 starts, 11 fumble recoveries
DT—Dwan Edwards, 11 seasons, 64 starts, 20 sacks
OLB—Skip Vanderbundt, 10 seasons, 100 starts, 14 interceptions
MLB—Nick Barnett, 13 season, 1,043 tackles, 21 sacks
OLB—Bob Horn, 8 seasons, 75 starts, 7 interceptions
CB—Brandon Browner, Pro Bowl, 5 seasons, 12 interceptions
CB—Steven Nelson, 8 seasons, 85 starts, 8 interceptions
S—Dainard Paulson, 2 Pro Bowls, 6 seasons, 29 interceptions
*-S—Jordan Poyer, 10 seasons, 24 interceptions
K—Sam Baker, 4 Pro Bowls, 15 seasons, 125 field goals, 977 points
*-P—Johnny Hekker, 4 Pro Bowls, 12 seasons, 46.7-yard average
KR—Jacquizz Rodgers, 8 seasons, 64 kickoff returns, 23.4-yard average
ST—Kerry Justin, 8 seasons, 3 blocked kicks
