We’re taking a look at each position group as Oregon prepares to open spring practice on March 16. The third of a 10-part series looks at the running backs.
Oregon returns its top three running backs, including Bucky Irving, who might be the best returning back in the Pac-12.
Irving is the only returning 1,000-yard rusher from the conference and could easily be in line to repeat the feat in 2023.
Running back is arguably the strongest overall position group on the Ducks offense and possibly the best on the entire roster because of Irving, Noah Whittington and Jordan James. Add freshman Dante Dowdell and Jayden Limar as early enrollees and UO has a fully stocked room to work with all offseason.
Projected depth chart (with 2022 stats):
Bucky Irving, junior: 156 carries, 1,058 yards and five touchdowns; 31 catches for 299 yards and three scores
Noah Whittington, fourth-year junior: 139 carries, 779 yards and five touchdowns; 22 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown
Jordan James, sophomore: 46 carries, 189 yards, five touchdowns
Dante Dowdell, freshman OR
Jayden Limar, freshman
Departed: Byron Cardwell Jr. (transferred to Cal), Sean Dollars (transferred to Nevada)
Due to arrive in the fall: n/a
Outlook: A room that had a lot of talent and production for several years was overhauled over the past year and enters spring in a great position.
There’s always fine points to work on but Irving has nothing to prove in spring so his contact could be limited.
Whittington proved capable of handling bigger and better competition last season and he too could see a lighter spring by way of contact.
The intrigue comes lower on the depth chart.
With Irving and Whittington both draft-eligible, again, after the season the development of the younger backs becomes crucial for 2024 and beyond.
Jordan James had a role in the 14 Josh package with limited chances in competitive situations outside of short yardage. Spring will be useful to getting James carries in other spots and getting him on the field in pass blocking.
Dowdell and Limar can certainly have roles in the fall and doing so will require proving themselves in the spring.
