2014 Season in Review: Running Back
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
DEPTH CHART
RB: Royce Freeman, Fr.; Thomas Tyner, So.; Kenny Bassett, Sr.; Kani Benoit, RFr.; Lane Roseberry, So.; J.J. Jones, So.; Jarret LaCoste, Jr.; Tony James, Fr.
Starter: Oregon’s 1,000-yard rusher from 2013, Byron Marshall, had a season-high eight carries in the 2014 opener and was primarily a receiver the rest of the way. Thus the Ducks had new faces in the starting lineup this past season, with Thomas Tyner starting and ending the season in that role, and Royce Freeman emerging as Gary Campbell's next great back in between. Tyner led the Ducks in carries each of the three nonconference games before giving way to Freeman, a bruising, mature-beyond-his-years newcomer who became the first UO true freshman to reach 1,000 yards. In 10 games against Pac-12 foes, the freshman ran for 100 yards six times, 99 once and 98 once, and never had less than 75. Freeman was contained a bit in the bowl season, rushing 22 times for 66 yards, but by then Tyner was back healthy and re-emerged as a force. The sophomore rushed 25 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns combined against Florida State and Ohio State, giving the Ducks an electric speed back to pair with the burly Freeman.
Reserves: Freeman led the Ducks with 1,365 yards and Tyner was third on the team with 770. In between was QB Marcus Mariota (770), and Marshall was fourth on the season with 52 carries for 392 yards despite the position change. As for true running backs, former walk-on Kenny Bassett emerged as the third-string guy in his fifth season with the program. He had a touchdown in the opener against South Dakota, and another in the Pac-12 title game. Kani Benoit got his first collegiate playing time, earning carries against four conference foes and in the Rose Bowl. Scout-team warriors Lane Roseberry and J.J. Jones were rewarded with a handful of carries in mop-up duty over the course of the season.
Redshirts: Blazing back Tony James also worked on the scout team, and was named special teams player of the year in that role for 2014. He also flashed ample potential offensively, showing a combination of speed and toughness that calls to mind another back with the same last name, LaMichael James. The latest James is a dynamic ballcarrier, capable of running around and away from pretty much anyone on the field. But he also doesn’t shy away from contact; on one memorable practice rep with the scout team, he had the ball in the flat near the goal line, saw his path blocked by a contingent of UO defenders, lowered his pads and plowed his way into the end zone. That kind of mentality combined with breakaway speed is a rare combination.
SPRING PROJECTION
RB: Royce Freeman, So.; Thomas Tyner, Jr.; Tony James, RFr.; Kani Benoit, So.; Lane Roseberry, Jr.; J.J. Jones, Jr.; Jarret LaCoste, Sr.; Taj Griffin, Fr.
With Freeman, Tyner and James all returning, the Ducks have an enviable stable of backs entering the offseason. Benoit is a capable option as well, and newcomer Taj Griffin is now in the fold after enrolling at the university for winter quarter. Griffin's high school season was cut short by injury, so it may be the fall before the Ducks find out what they truly have on their hands. He projects as a dynamic athlete on par with no less than De'Anthony Thomas, but even not counting Griffin at this point, the Ducks have arguably the best stable of running backs in the country.
