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SCOUT'S TAKE

Skinny: Thurmond battled through some injuries last season, but ended up having a very productive campaign, registering 66 total tackles, eight pass break-ups, and five interceptions. Thurmond is a good-sized cornerback at around six feet tall and 185 pounds, and is a solid overall athlete with the speed and quickness to be a very good NFL cornerback. The question is, with both Jairus Byrd, and Patrick Chung gone from last year’s secondary (both were second round picks in last April’s NFL Draft), can Thurmond have the same type of production?

NEWS

12.27.09 - A season-ending knee injury Sept. 26 against California changed Thurmond's role. Thurmond was named the team's most inspirational player this season. "He's been as good a captain as I've ever been around even though he doesn't get to participate (in games)," coach Chip Kelly said. Thurmond was having an outstanding senior year. He had an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown in game two against Purdue, and a 78-yard punt return for a score in the next game against Utah. A four-year starter, Thurmond's five career touchdowns is the most by a nonoffensive player in school history. Thurmond is "a little ahead of schedule" in his rehab work and hopes to work out for the pro scouts in February at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. –Statesman Journal

12.01.09 - Thurmond tore all three ligaments in his right knee on the opening kickoff of the California game on Sept. 26 and hasn’t played since. He is progressing, however, and he’s confident that he will be able to show NFL scouts that he’s ready to play football professionally. “It’s been a little bit rough,” Thurmond said Monday at practice. “I had really high goals for myself and the things that I wanted to accomplish. The team goals are still there, we’re about to win the Pac-10 championship, it was just unfortunate that I got hurt at the beginning of the season. I guess it’s better to get hurt in the beginning of the season than the end of the season so I can work and recover and have a pro day for the scouts so I can still get drafted. You just have to look on the brighter side of things and stay positive.” – Oregon Daily Emerald

09.30.09 - Thurmond tore three ligaments in his right knee Saturday while returning the opening kickoff in the No. 16 Ducks’ win over California. Thurmond intends to undergo surgery early next week and return to health in time to train for the NFL draft next April. A four-year starter from West Covina, Calif., Thurmond scored a school-record five career touchdowns on defense and special teams, including an interception against Purdue this season and a punt return that sparked Oregon’s win over then-No. 18 Utah a week later. Thurmond tore the anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the knee. The diagnosis of a sprain during the game proved optimistic when the joint swelled overnight Saturday, and an MRI exam conducted Sunday revealed the extent of the damage. Thurmond was one of four co-captains for the Ducks this season and one of two on defense, with end Will Tukuafu. Thurmond was the most vocal leader of the four, and his status as a preseason all-American corner who also returned punts and kickoffs made him Oregon’s most valuable player. – The Register Guard

04.29.09 - Thurmond picked off a pass from Jeremiah Masoli on the first play of 11-on-11 drills Wednesday. Thurmond and the defense were wearing the coveted black jerseys, earned by outplaying the offense in Monday's practice, in which the ubiquitous No. 6 intercepted a half-dozen passes. "Walter is playing very special," defensive backs coach John Neal said. "He's very, very good right now." On Monday, Thurmond returned two interceptions for touchdowns in 11-on-11 play. He had five interceptions last season -- a figure he might not reach in 2009 if teams keep away from him. He has speed, anticipation, intelligence, not to mention 2percent body fat, but can he play any better?

01.02.09 - Thurmond redshirted in 2005 but started all 12 games for the Ducks in 2006 earning Honorable Mention all conference and Third Team Freshman All-America honors after posting 67 tackles with 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sack, one interception and nine pass breakups. He upped his production a year ago with 103 tackles with eight for loss, five interceptions with one return for a score, 18 pass breakups and one blocked kick. The impressive stats helped earn him All conference honors. This season, he has played through ankle, pelvic and back injuries this but still has 61 tackles with one for loss, four interceptions (one of which he returned for a score) and seven pass breakups. He's also returned 15 kickoffs for 327 yards. If the decision to leave school was up in the air the nagging injuries have basically made the choice for him and he will likely stay for his senior season.

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