Jordan James stepped into a much bigger share of Oregon’s run game when Noah Whittington went down early last season. He could see an even larger opportunity as the Ducks go about replacing leading rusher Bucky Irving.
James had 107 carries for 759 yards and 11 touchdowns with 15 catches for 132 yards and a score last season. Though that was up dramatically from the 46 carries for 189 yards and five scores he had as a freshman in 2022, more than half of James’ production (53 carries for 381 yards and seven touchdowns) came with Oregon leading by at least 15 points.
James is the going to be in position for more touches in more meaningful spots and has been a force on the practice field this spring while Whittington has been limited while still recovering from injury.
“I think Jordan is running like an angry guy, which is exactly how you want your running back to run,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “He’s out here improved in the spring. I’ve seen him do more out of the backfield with his hands. Definitely has a better understanding of what we’re trying to accomplish on the field. Really proud of Jordan’s development and where he’s headed.”
The Ducks have to replace more than 45% of their 437 carries and 2,583 rushing yards with the departure of Bucky Irving (186 carries for 1,180 yards) for the NFL and Dante Dowdell transferring to Nebraska. That’s not to look past the rushing contributions of quarterbacks Bo Nix and Ty Thompson, though Dillon Gabriel may more than offset that.
James has only had four games with at least 10 carries, with a career-high 13 carries for 103 yards against Washington State last season. By comparison, Irving had 10-plus carries in 12 games and five 100-yard games last season.
Until he can prove capable of the larger workload in the fall, James is focusing on “getting in better shape, knowing what I’m supposed to do on every single play and executing” during the spring and offseason.
“I love the challenge,” James said. “I’m going to keep working, do what I got to do.”
He and Whittington have helped lead the running back room through a mid-spring position coach change from Carlos Locklyn to Ra’Shaad Samples. Their knowledge of UO’s offense and professionalism have allowed Samples to get acclimated amid spring practice.
“When you’re got veteran guys who are mature about the process, understand about the day to day it makes it a lot easier coming in and being able to bounce things off those guys,” Samples said. “Those guys in the room can play, from the top to the bottom. I think we got to continue to be detail-oriented, be detail focused and build on the things that build on our weaknesses.
“Spend time in the film room, spend extra time — we talk about being the first one on the field and being one of the last ones off. Ultimately owning the ball, protecting the ball and being violent in the run game.”
It was already the case prior to Samples’ arrival, but James, Whittington, Jay Harris and Jayden Limar are regularly among the first players on the practice field each day, as Irving was as well. Standards are being upheld and how that continues through the offseason will determine who gets greater opportunities in the fall.
