Oregon Football Spring Preview: Ducks Boast Special Mix of Talent at Running Back

Carlos Locklyn will once again be in the conversation for the best running back room in college football.

I'm continuing my series of position previews for the Oregon Ducks ahead of spring football kicking off next week. If you haven't already, make sure to read my preview of the quarterbacks, a group that welcomes three exciting new players to the fold this spring.

Today I'm highlighting Carlos Locklyn's running backs, which will move on from Bucky Irving, a two-year starter who's now taking his shot at the NFL after competing in last week's Scouting Combine.

The Return of Noah Whittington

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

2023 stats (4 games): 20 carries, 146 rushing yards, 2 TD | 10 receptions, 78 receiving yards

No. 6 is set to be healthy for the first time since 2023, when an injury against Colorado abruptly ended his year just four games into the season. Whittington might be the fastest of the bunch, but he surely doesn't lack power, as he doesn't shy away from contact and fights for every yard.

He was listed on the 2023 roster at 5'8", 208 pounds, a significant weight gain from 2022, but it was good weight that certainly didn't slow him down. If anything it made him more effective, which is what he's been from the moment he stepped on campus when he followed Carlos Locklyn from Western Kentucky.

Whittington is the most experienced option on the roster, but I'm not entirely certain he's cemented his status as the No. 1 lead back. There's no shortage of talented ballcarriers in the room and our next player has been a star.

Jordan James Rolls Into Year 3

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

2023 stats: 107 carries, 759 rushing yards, 11 rushing TD | 15 receptions, 132 receiving yards

If you'd never watched Jordan James play before last season, you could turn on an Oregon game and convince yourself he was a junior that's been around the program for some time. 

It's a bit surprising to think the Tennessee native is already heading into his true junior season with the Ducks. He carved out a role as the team's short yardage and goal-line back as a true freshman and was more than ready to take on the extra carries that were freed up by by Whittington's injury last year.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound back was a huge reason the Ducks didn't miss a step running the ball after Whittington went down, as he averaged a staggering 7.1 yards per carry. I love his feel for the game, how he runs and the toughness he plays with. I've gotten more excited about his potential with each season, and 2024 could be his best yet.

Newcomer Jay Harris

Jay Harris/Oregon Athletics

2023 stats (Northwest Missouri State): 244 carries, 1,433 rushing yards, 14 rushing TD | 10 receptions, 32 receiving yards 

Jay Harris enters the mix in Eugene after spending the last two seasons at Northwest Missouri State. Despite being recognized as a Division II All-American, some might say he's a bit of a question mark because we haven't seen him face Power 5 talent. But the numbers show a proven back and Duck fans should trust Carlos Locklyn's eye for talent. 

Standing 6'2", 215 pounds (as of 2023), he's the bigger back in the room, coincidentally following the departure of Dante Dowdell, who was the biggest back on the roster last year. His production shows he can eat up yards in a hurry, bounce off tackles and he has a nose for the end zone.

He didn't play much of a receiving role out of the backfield at his previous stop, so it'll be interesting to see what kind of a role he carves out in Eugene. The Ducks were poised to have a three-headed monster last year prior to Whittington's injury.

Is Jayden Limar Ready for a Larger Role?

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

2023 Stats: 24 carries, 109 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD | 7 receptions, 61 receiving yards

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound back enters his true sophomore season after seeing decent action in his first year of college action. Considering how crowded the backfield was last year, I came away impressed with what Limar was able to do with his opportunities. 

I was particularly impressed by his blocking and tenacity in the Fiesta Bowl, but hopefully we get to see some more of him in 2024, as he has a great all-around game.

He's a strong runner and has some juice out of the backfield as a receiver. I've been told the staff sees some Travis Dye in his game and I think Duck fans would love a bigger version of what was one of the more versatile backs we've seen come through Eugene.

True Freshman Da'Jaun 'Dink' Riggs

Da'Jaun Riggs/Oregon Athletics

2023 stats: 662 rushing yards, 6 rushing TD | 26 receptions, 339 receiving yards, 2 receiving TD

Riggs enters his first year in Eugene as someone who's flying a bit under the radar. Rated a three-star recruit, he had a great senior season at St. John's and won Gatorade Player of the Year honors in Washington, D.C. His recruiting stock continued to rise throughout the year as he kept showing up game after game and putting together solid performances.

He's got a great overall skill set and deceptive speed. One source I spoke with told me they see him as a larger version of Bucky Irving, who had a phenomenal run in his two years with the Ducks.

I don't expect a significant role for Riggs given the talent that's ahead of him, but the coaching staff would be wise to create some opportunities for him with the four games he can play while maintaining his redshirt.

Make sure to continue reading Ducks Digest as I prepare you for the start of spring football in Eugene.

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