Max Unger (2019) - Hall of Fame - University of Oregon Athletics

Max Unger

Induction:
2019
Class:
2009

Max Unger cracked Oregon’s starting lineup on the offensive line for the second game of his freshman season and remained there for an unprecedented 51 consecutive starts. Exhibiting remarkable versatility, Unger played primarily at left tackle as a freshman and sophomore before moving to center his final two years in Eugene. Becoming just the fourth Duck offensive lineman to earn first-team All-America honors in both 2007 and 2008, Unger captained a front five that helped the 2008 squad set school standards for rushing yards (3,641) and rushing touchdowns (47). He helped pave the way for Jonathan Stewart’s school-record 1,722 yards rushing in 2007, and then anchored the line that produced a pair of 1,000-yard runners, Jeremiah Johnson (1,201) and LaGarrette Blount (1,002), in 2008. During Unger’s tenure, the Ducks led the Pac-12 in scoring his junior and senior seasons as well as rushing and total offense his final three years. Following his senior season, Unger drew first-team All-America acclaim from Pro Football Weekly, SI.com and Rivals.com, and was also selected to play in the 2009 Senior Bowl. SI.com tabbed him as a first-team All-American following his junior year, while he earned all-conference laurels in both 2007 (second team) and 2008 (first team). He earned the Ed Moshofsky Award as the program’s top offensive lineman three years in a row. After graduation in 2009, Unger was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round with the 49th overall pick. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection at center for the Seahawks, and started in Seattle’s Super Bowl XLVIII win over Denver. Unger was traded to New Orleans following the 2014 season and earned a third career Pro Bowl selection as a Saint in 2018. The Honaunau, Hawai'i, native retired from the NFL in the spring of 2019.