Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com
Irving Key Cog To UO Brotherhood
12/29/23 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
Dan Lanning prides himself on the connection among Oregon's players and staff, and few individuals uphold that value better than running back Bucky Irving.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When it came to first impressions, Bucky Irving made quite a few memorable ones with the Oregon football team. In the two years since, he's forged bonds of brotherhood that have only further endeared the UO running back to his teammates.
Irving joined the Ducks in 2022 after spending one year at Minnesota. His talent and competitiveness were immediately apparent to his new teammates.
Monday's Fiesta Bowl will bring Irving's two-year Oregon career to a close, after two 1,000-yard rushing seasons. But Irving's teammates will remember him for much more than his production on the field. After making such a strong first impression, he has cemented his connection with the Ducks ever since.
The UO football team's reverence for its leading rusher knows few bounds.
"He's the best back in the country," receiver Tez Johnson said Friday. "Hands down."
Talking with teammates about Irving, they all acknowledge his abilities — that elusiveness, the quickness in small spaces, the balance that allows him to stay on his feet after first contact by the defense. But what sticks out more is how many consider Irving among their closest friends on the team, and how many stories there are about Irving going the extra mile to strengthen bonds with his teammates.
Irving is such a regular presence in tight end meetings that UO starter Terrance Ferguson refers to him as "an honorary tight end." If not in that meeting room inside the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex, Irving might also be found down the hall in the offensive line room.
"He'll come in and watch protections with us," UO offensive lineman Steven Jones said. "It's not just, 'block for me and let me run.' He wants to make sure we're all on the same page. He's not someone who just sees us as blockers, and just tries to make plays off us. He really wants to be connected with us."
For Irving, reaching out to teammates in ways like that comes naturally.
"You're not doing this thing all by yourself," he said. "It takes all 11 on the field, so to have that connection with all the guys I think means a lot."
Oregon's team culture has foundational pillars established under head coach Dan Lanning, one of which is "connection." When a player the status of Irving is going to such lengths to establish his connections with teammates, it resonates throughout the locker room.
"He's a great example for our younger players, of what a veteran should look like and how he should act," UO offensive coordinator Will Stein said. "He's not afraid to have tough conversations, either. It's not like he's constantly a cheerleader and telling you how good you are. He's a guy that can step out of his comfort zone, and be up front and honest with people."
Asked about Irving's most impressive qualities, Stein ticks off a long list.
"Passionate. The heartbeat of our team," Stein said. "Tough. Loyal. The ultimate competitor, ultimate teammate — and a fantastic football player on top of that. … He's everything you want in a brother, a son, a husband. He's just an awesome dude, and I love him to death."
Irving's competitiveness was the first quality that struck UO quarterback Bo Nix when they first met in 2022. They got together to play basketball, a game that Nix said tends to be light on physical play and heavy on uncontested shots when football players are involved.
Football players other than Irving, apparently.
"He shows up and he starts playing hard and playing defense," Nix recalled Friday. "I'm like, who is this guy? And why is he playing so hard? From that moment on I was like, I kind of like this guy. He's gonna be a competitive dude. He's gonna get after it."
Ferguson, meanwhile, recalled Irving dropping into the tight end room for the first time, soon after arriving at Oregon. As a means of introduction, some of the Ducks pulled up highlights of their playing days in high school. Eventually it was Irving's turn.
"He was like, 'the first dude never tackled me,'" Ferguson recalled. "And then we watched, and I don't think the first dude ever even touched him. He's running around out there, making everybody miss."
Two years later, Oregon fans know well that toughness and elusive running style that make Irving so hard to bring down.
It's not all competitive intensity with Irving. He and Jones bond over shared interests in music. Irving and Johnson size each other up to see who can be the best dressed.
Jones and Johnson are two of many Ducks who name Irving as one of their best friends on the team. Count Nix among those, too.
"His passion for other people is what makes him special," Nix said. "He's got a big heart, and he's got a heart for other people, and he's got a heart for the team, and he really does just want the team to succeed."
Monday, Irving will demonstrate that passion for his teammates and the Oregon football program one last time. Though he has announced he'll enter the 2024 NFL Draft, he still plans to take the field in the Fiesta Bowl with the Ducks.
"They got me this far, to where I have the chance to go declare for the NFL Draft," Irving said. "So I felt like I needed to put one last stamp on the 2023 season, and finish off on a good note."
Irving joined the Ducks in 2022 after spending one year at Minnesota. His talent and competitiveness were immediately apparent to his new teammates.
Monday's Fiesta Bowl will bring Irving's two-year Oregon career to a close, after two 1,000-yard rushing seasons. But Irving's teammates will remember him for much more than his production on the field. After making such a strong first impression, he has cemented his connection with the Ducks ever since.
The UO football team's reverence for its leading rusher knows few bounds.
"He's the best back in the country," receiver Tez Johnson said Friday. "Hands down."
Talking with teammates about Irving, they all acknowledge his abilities — that elusiveness, the quickness in small spaces, the balance that allows him to stay on his feet after first contact by the defense. But what sticks out more is how many consider Irving among their closest friends on the team, and how many stories there are about Irving going the extra mile to strengthen bonds with his teammates.
Irving is such a regular presence in tight end meetings that UO starter Terrance Ferguson refers to him as "an honorary tight end." If not in that meeting room inside the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex, Irving might also be found down the hall in the offensive line room.
"He'll come in and watch protections with us," UO offensive lineman Steven Jones said. "It's not just, 'block for me and let me run.' He wants to make sure we're all on the same page. He's not someone who just sees us as blockers, and just tries to make plays off us. He really wants to be connected with us."
For Irving, reaching out to teammates in ways like that comes naturally.
"You're not doing this thing all by yourself," he said. "It takes all 11 on the field, so to have that connection with all the guys I think means a lot."
Oregon's team culture has foundational pillars established under head coach Dan Lanning, one of which is "connection." When a player the status of Irving is going to such lengths to establish his connections with teammates, it resonates throughout the locker room.
"He's a great example for our younger players, of what a veteran should look like and how he should act," UO offensive coordinator Will Stein said. "He's not afraid to have tough conversations, either. It's not like he's constantly a cheerleader and telling you how good you are. He's a guy that can step out of his comfort zone, and be up front and honest with people."
Asked about Irving's most impressive qualities, Stein ticks off a long list.
"Passionate. The heartbeat of our team," Stein said. "Tough. Loyal. The ultimate competitor, ultimate teammate — and a fantastic football player on top of that. … He's everything you want in a brother, a son, a husband. He's just an awesome dude, and I love him to death."
Irving's competitiveness was the first quality that struck UO quarterback Bo Nix when they first met in 2022. They got together to play basketball, a game that Nix said tends to be light on physical play and heavy on uncontested shots when football players are involved.
Football players other than Irving, apparently.
"He shows up and he starts playing hard and playing defense," Nix recalled Friday. "I'm like, who is this guy? And why is he playing so hard? From that moment on I was like, I kind of like this guy. He's gonna be a competitive dude. He's gonna get after it."
Ferguson, meanwhile, recalled Irving dropping into the tight end room for the first time, soon after arriving at Oregon. As a means of introduction, some of the Ducks pulled up highlights of their playing days in high school. Eventually it was Irving's turn.
"He was like, 'the first dude never tackled me,'" Ferguson recalled. "And then we watched, and I don't think the first dude ever even touched him. He's running around out there, making everybody miss."
Two years later, Oregon fans know well that toughness and elusive running style that make Irving so hard to bring down.
It's not all competitive intensity with Irving. He and Jones bond over shared interests in music. Irving and Johnson size each other up to see who can be the best dressed.
Jones and Johnson are two of many Ducks who name Irving as one of their best friends on the team. Count Nix among those, too.
"His passion for other people is what makes him special," Nix said. "He's got a big heart, and he's got a heart for other people, and he's got a heart for the team, and he really does just want the team to succeed."
Monday, Irving will demonstrate that passion for his teammates and the Oregon football program one last time. Though he has announced he'll enter the 2024 NFL Draft, he still plans to take the field in the Fiesta Bowl with the Ducks.
"They got me this far, to where I have the chance to go declare for the NFL Draft," Irving said. "So I felt like I needed to put one last stamp on the 2023 season, and finish off on a good note."
Players Mentioned
TE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
2025 Oregon Football Uniform Reveal | Indiana
Wednesday, October 08
Bryce Boettcher: "Exciting for the fanbase and the city."
Wednesday, October 08
Dakorien Moore: "Do everything I need to."
Wednesday, October 08
Dan Lanning: "Good week of practice."
Wednesday, October 08
