Stewart Heads to Carolina as a 1st-Round NFL Pick - University of Oregon Athletics

Former University of Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart became the Ducks’ highest running back to be taken in the NFL Draft in 36 years when he was chosen by the Carolina Panthers with the 13^th overall pick in the first round Saturday.

The Ducks’ first-team All-American completed his collegiate career as the school’s single-season rushing leader with 1,722 yards, and finished as its second-leading rusher of all time with 2,891 yards. He trailed only Derek Loville (1986-89) on Oregon’s career rushing list (3,296 yards) despite playing only three seasons.

In addition to becoming Oregon’s second first-round draft choice in the past three seasons (Haloti Ngata was the 12^th overall pick in 2006 by Baltimore), Stewart becomes the school’s highest running back chosen since Bobby Moore (now Ahmad Rashad) was drafted with the fourth overall selection by St. Louis in 1972.

“Obviously I’m very excited,” Stewart said after watching the draft unfold from his home in Lacey, Wash. “I had no clue that Carolina was going to take me or where I would go, especially after I had started watching it. All the trades started happening and I knew I would just have to wait and see.”

So what does Stewart expect after talking with the Carolina coaches?

“They just want me to come in and help the team,” he said in his usual humble demeanor. “But I think I can make an immediate impact or they wouldn’t have drafted me in the first round.”

The bruising running back became the second player drafted by Carolina in as many years as tight end Dante Rosario was chosen by the Panthers in the fifth round a year ago. Rosario finished his rookie season catching six passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to making five tackles on special teams.

“It’s going to help a lot to already know someone there and help with the transition as I become familiar with someplace new,” Stewart added.

Stewart could not have ended his Oregon tenure any better than he did, pounding South Florida for 253 yards on the ground while accumulating 282 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in a 56-21 win in the Brut Sun Bowl.

Carolina began the day with six running backs on its roster after releasing its leading rusher from a year ago, DeShaun Foster. Former 2006 first-round draft pick DeAngelo Williams (Memphis) returns as the Panthers’ top returning ball carrier as the two-year pro ran for 717 yards and four touchdowns in 2007.

Stewart was the only Oregon player drafted through the first two rounds, with the remaining five rounds to be concluded Sunday, beginning at 7 a.m. (PDT).