Oregon spring game legends: The who, why and where they've been

Dan Lanning's staff is bringing a father of four, a man of the year, a burger king and a Lion back for next month's spring game.

LaMichael James is one of four former Oregon stars returning for this year’s spring game. (GoDucks.com photo)

The spring game is never just a spring game anymore. In today’s version of college football, the finale of spring practice has to be a showcase. It’s turned into one of the most important recruiting days of the year here in Oregon, where prospective athletes flock to campus with UO trying its best to put on a show. 

This year’s game on April 23 even comes along with a name: Duck Day, UO announced this week.  

And part of Duck Day 2022 sees four former football players returning to serve as honorary coaches alongside first-year head coach Dan Lanning and his staff. 

Oregon Football @oregonfootball

𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. @DATBLACKMOMBA13, @Haloti_Ngata92, @arikarmstead and @LaMichaelJames will be back in Autzen Stadium on April 23 to serve as honorary coaches at the Oregon Spring Game. #GoDucks

Lanning had a pretty large list of potential alumni he could have picked, but the grouping of Arik Armstead, LaMichael James, Haloti Ngata and De’Anthony Thomas highlights four massively influential players in UO history — from what it meant for them to be here, to what they did afterwards. 

Here’s a look at why Oregon chose these four and what they’ve been up to since they left Eugene.