The Oregon Ducks start the 2024 season Aug. 31 at home against Idaho. The Oregonian/OregonLive will count down the days with mini-profiles of prominent former and current Ducks whose jersey numbers correspond with the days remaining until the opening kickoff.

Today, No. 46: Linebacker Michael Clay.

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Michael Clay

Bio: Oregon recruited Clay out of Bellarmine College Prep (San Jose, Calif.), where he played fullback and was ranked as one of the top linebackers in the state. At Oregon, Clay won three conference championships, a Rose Bowl, a Fiesta Bowl, and played in the national championship.

Key statistics: Clay began his career in 2009 as a long snapper on punts and backup linebacker. He registered 32 tackles, two for loss and a sack.

Clay became a starter on the 2010 team that went 12-0 during the regular season, won the Pac-10, and advanced to the BCS National Championship Game.

That season, Clay had 42 tackles with one interception and was named honorable mention All-Pac-10.

In 2011, the Ducks won their third consecutive conference title and the Rose Bowl. That season, Clay ranked second on the team with 102 tackles, 8 1/2 for loss. His 8.9 tackles per game ranked second in the conference.

Against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, Clay made 13 tackles, two for loss, and recovered the key fumble that sealed the win.

In his senior season, Clay received second-team All-Pac-12 honors after racking up 101 tackles, 10 for loss, with three sacks.

Clay’s 20-tackle performance that season against Stanford ranks third all-time at UO.

Clay ended his career with 277 tackles, 21 for loss, and seven sacks.

NFL: Clay didn’t play in the NFL, but he has coached several years in the league. Most recently as the special teams coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.

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PRIOR COUNTDOWN POSTS

No. 47: Linebacker Kiko Alonso.

No. 48: DL Saul Patu and LB Rodney Hardrick.

No. 49: Defensive end Nick Reed.

No. 50: Defensive tackle Popo Aumavae

No. 51: Offensive lineman Jeff Kendall.

No. 52: Linebacker Tom Graham.

No. 53: Defensive lineman Igor Olshansky.

No. 54: Three champion linemen.

No. 55: Centers Hroniss Grasu and Jake Hanson, plus linebacker Casey Matthews.

No. 56: Offensive tackle Gary Zimmerman.

No. 57: OL George Dames and 1957 Rose Bowl team.

No. 58: Defensive end Kenny Rowe and center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

No. 59: Offensive lineman Ian Reynoso.

No. 60: Center Max Unger.

No. 61: Lineman Steve Barnett.

No. 62: Offensive lineman Matt Pierson.

No. 63: Defensive lineman Vince Goldsmith.

No. 64: Lineman Dave Wilcox.

No. 65: Offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius

No. 66: Defensive lineman Taylor Hart.

No. 67: Offensive lineman Jack Patera.

No. 68: Offensive lineman Shane Lemieux.

No. 69: Offensive lineman Bo Thran.

No. 70: Fullback Bob Sanders.

No. 71: Offensive linemen Mark Lewis and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu.

No. 72: Offensive lineman Adam Snyder.

No. 73: Offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby.

No. 74: Offensive linemen Kyle Long and Tom Drougas.

No. 75: Offensive tackle Jake Fisher.

No. 76: Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.

No. 77: Offensive lineman Carson York.

No. 78: Offensive linemen Alex Forsyth and Cameron Hunt.

No. 79: Mark Asper, offensive line

No. 80: Wide receivers Lavasier Tuinei, Greg Moser and Ray Palm

No. 81: Wide receiver Bob Newland

No. 82: Wide receiver Lew Barnes and tight end Blake Spence

No. 83: Tight end Ed Dickson and wide receiver Patrick Johnson

No. 84: Tight end Justin Peelle, linebacker Anthony Trucks, and Cam McCormick

No. 85: Pharaoh Brown, Tim Day and Matt Evensen.

No. 86: Wide receiver Paul Burleson.

No. 87: Wide receiver Greg Specht

No. 88: Wide receiver Dwayne Stanford and defensive lineman Brandon Bair

No. 89: This team ended a 25-year drought

No. 90: Tight end Josh Wilcox and defensive lineman Drayton Carlberg