Previewing Oregon Ducks Running Back Room for Pivotal Season

Here's a look at the Oregon Ducks running back room entering the 2026 college football season.

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The Oregon Ducks have several talented players at multiple positions on their roster ahead of the 2026 season. Running back is one of those positions loaded with talent for the Ducks. 

Even with the loss of star running back Noah Whittington, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans, the Ducks still have a dominant duo at the position with Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. 

Oregon’s Jordon Davison, center, does a dance after scoring a touchdown for the Ducks against Southern California during the first quarter Nov. 22, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Last season, the two running backs combined for over 1,000 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. The Ducks' main focus at running back is on Davison and Hill, but other players in the room could develop into future stars under running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples. 

With the Ducks scheduled to kick off the season on Sept. 5 at Autzen Stadium against the Boise State Broncos, here’s a preview of Oregon’s running back room heading into a year that fans hope ends with a national championship. 

RB1: Jordon Davison

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) rushes during the second quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. have a strong case for the starting running back role, the best bet is that Davison is the starter. Last season, Davison was the Ducks' leading back behind Whittington with 113 carries for 667 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Davison's 15 touchdowns were the most in the Ducks' running back room last season. While the competition between him and Hill is fierce, the two running backs have formed great chemistry in the backfield and a friendship since arriving in Eugene.

“We’re going to compete every day. Don’t get it wrong. That’s my brother, and I love him to death. We’re going to compete every day. We’re going to push each other. At the end of the day, we all want to see each other succeed, so we’re all helping each other at the end of the day,” Davison said.

RB2: Dierre Hill Jr. 

Oregon running back Dierre Hill Jr. warms up as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Dierre Hill Jr.'s impact on the Ducks' running back room this season is just as important as Davison’s. Like they did during their freshman years, the two running backs will feed off each other to succeed.

During his freshman season, Hill was just behind Davison, ranking third in rushing for the Ducks with 75 carries for 656 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 8.7 yards per carry. The 5-11, 205-pound running back has an explosive playstyle, and earlier in fall camp, new Oregon offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer revealed the creativity the Ducks could have planned for Hill in the backfield.

“I think any time you get a guy that’s a dynamic player, right? You just go back a year ago to this point, we really didn’t even know at that time what Dierre was really gonna do,” Mehringer said. “Really, Dierre was kind of coming on midway through the season, and you see this burst down the field, and it’s like. ‘Hey, we gotta do something with this guy,” Mehringer said.

RB3: Simeon Price

Sep 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Simeon Price (26) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Ducks brought depth to their running back room this season with the addition of Colorado Buffaloes transfer Simeon Price as a valuable veteran piece. Price has spent his four-year collegiate career at three different schools: the Mississippi State Bulldogs (2022-23), Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (2024), and most recently the Colorado Buffaloes (2025). 

In those four seasons, Price has produced 100 carries for 470 yards and two touchdowns. As the veteran of the group, Price has shown remarkable leadership with some of the younger running backs on the Ducks' roster, catching the eye of his position coach, Samples. 

“Simeon’s another coach in there. We call him ‘unc.’ The boys joke they don’t know who’s older, me or Simeon. He’s amazing, man. I couldn’t have wished for a better guy to get out of the portal. He leads those guys,” said Samples. 

“Sometimes he asks me, ‘Coach Samp, let me talk to these guys for a minute.’ And it’s different when you got a player-led room. When you got a guy in this room who had three or four different offensive coordinators, three or four head coaches giving you perspective from experience.”

“They all trust him. They believe in him. Those guys in that room love each other. Simeon has been a blessing to the room on top of what he brings to the football field,” Samples continued.

RB4: Da’Jaun “Dink” Riggs

Nov 30, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Da'Jaun Riggs (21) picks up a first down during the second half against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Redshirt sophomore running back Da’Jaun “Dink” Riggs looks to take a step forward this season for the Ducks. Riggs' career with the Ducks has been hampered by injury, but now that he is healthy, he has the opportunity to make an impact for a loaded Oregon running back room. 

This offseason and throughout fall camp, Riggs has shown his potential for the Ducks and will be an exciting player to watch throughout the season. Mehringer recently spoke about Riggs’ energy in his sophomore season.

“Dink is pushing as hard as I’ve ever seen him push,” offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer said. “I do think that for some guys, setbacks change the way they view life. I think that probably happens for all of us. Not everything is just going to happen the way it always has.” 

Freshmen Running Backs: Tradarian Ball and Brandon Smith

July 27, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Tradarian Ball part of the top-ranked recruits flocked to Eugene for the 2024 Oregon Ducks Saturday Night Live ; Mandatory credit: Zachary Neel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tradarian Ball and Brandon Smith are two freshmen running backs who could receive playing time this season for the Ducks. Ball and Smith bring even more talent to the Ducks' running back room and could be future stars for Oregon. 

Ball arrives in Eugene from the same hometown as former Ducks star running back LaMichael James, Texarkana, Texas. Ball, a four-star recruit, is ranked the No. 64 player nationally and No. 4 running back in the 2026 recruiting class, per 247Sports. 

Smith is another talented four-star running back to watch for the Ducks. The 6-0, 185-pound running back originally committed to the Arizona Wildcats before flipping his commitment to the Ducks.

From Central East High School in Fresno, California, Smith is rated as the No. 17 overall running back in the 2026 recruiting class, per 247Sports.    

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