Preseason Camp Preview: RB
07/28/23 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
Assessing how things stack up for the UO football program entering the start of preseason camp Aug. 2.
RUNNING BACK
Who's back: The Ducks boast the top returning rusher in the Pac-12 Conference from the 2022 season, junior Bucky Irving. In his first season with the program, Irving ran for 1,058 yards on 156 carries, an average of 6.78 yards per touch. He was at his best in the postseason, posting season highs in the Holiday Bowl of 149 yards and two touchdowns, helping Oregon beat North Carolina to cap a 10-win campaign. Irving is a soft-spoken, attention-averse player who lets his running do the talking. But with another season like 2022, he figures to attract the level of national attention folks in Eugene know he deserves already.
Complementing Irving's uncanny lateral quickness is the elite speed of backup Noah Whittington, who added 779 rushing yards in 2022, and the power of sophomore Jordan James, who thrived in short-yardage settings as a freshman last fall. But neither is a one-dimensional player; James spoke in the spring of looking to demonstrate this season that he's more than a goal-line threat. Sophomore Kilohana Haasenritter picked up a handful of carries in 2022 while also playing extensively on special teams, bringing his speed and fearless attitude to coverage teams. The Ducks also return a couple of veterans of the "look" team for practices, Ellis Bynum and Brison Cobbins.
Who's new: Oregon's strength at running back only got better this offseason, with the addition of 2023 recruits Dante Dowdell and Jayden Limar. Dowdell breaks the mold in which his stablemates fit, cutting an imposing figure at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. Limar is a versatile player who can get upfield and stress the defense as a receiver out of the backfield as well. Both arrived in time to participate in spring balls, jump-starting their development as potential contributors this season.
What to watch: With all the experienced talent returning, none of the veteran backs should be stressed in terms of work load in 2023. The coaching staff has options aplenty, and the running back room is stacked with team-first guys who are comfortable seeing carries spread around. A big question is how new offensive coordinator Will Stein and the rest of the staff will devise ways to take advantage of all this talent, and the diversity of skill-sets; the Ducks did a fantastic job a year ago of creating different packages that played to different backs' strengths, and will look to do so again in 2023.
Who's back: The Ducks boast the top returning rusher in the Pac-12 Conference from the 2022 season, junior Bucky Irving. In his first season with the program, Irving ran for 1,058 yards on 156 carries, an average of 6.78 yards per touch. He was at his best in the postseason, posting season highs in the Holiday Bowl of 149 yards and two touchdowns, helping Oregon beat North Carolina to cap a 10-win campaign. Irving is a soft-spoken, attention-averse player who lets his running do the talking. But with another season like 2022, he figures to attract the level of national attention folks in Eugene know he deserves already.
Complementing Irving's uncanny lateral quickness is the elite speed of backup Noah Whittington, who added 779 rushing yards in 2022, and the power of sophomore Jordan James, who thrived in short-yardage settings as a freshman last fall. But neither is a one-dimensional player; James spoke in the spring of looking to demonstrate this season that he's more than a goal-line threat. Sophomore Kilohana Haasenritter picked up a handful of carries in 2022 while also playing extensively on special teams, bringing his speed and fearless attitude to coverage teams. The Ducks also return a couple of veterans of the "look" team for practices, Ellis Bynum and Brison Cobbins.
Who's new: Oregon's strength at running back only got better this offseason, with the addition of 2023 recruits Dante Dowdell and Jayden Limar. Dowdell breaks the mold in which his stablemates fit, cutting an imposing figure at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. Limar is a versatile player who can get upfield and stress the defense as a receiver out of the backfield as well. Both arrived in time to participate in spring balls, jump-starting their development as potential contributors this season.
What to watch: With all the experienced talent returning, none of the veteran backs should be stressed in terms of work load in 2023. The coaching staff has options aplenty, and the running back room is stacked with team-first guys who are comfortable seeing carries spread around. A big question is how new offensive coordinator Will Stein and the rest of the staff will devise ways to take advantage of all this talent, and the diversity of skill-sets; the Ducks did a fantastic job a year ago of creating different packages that played to different backs' strengths, and will look to do so again in 2023.
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