Best Oregon football players: Modern-era Mount Rushmore

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Marcus Mariota #8 of the Oregon Ducks runs for a 23-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2015 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

4 of 5

Oregon football (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

LaMichael James arrived at Oregon in the 2009 season as a freshman and he wasted no time proving that he’s the greatest running back in the history of the Ducks. In his first collegiate season, he rushed for 1,546 yards on 230 carries and scored 14 touchdowns. But as impressive as James’ first season was with the program, it was actually his least productive as he only got better.

The following season in one fewer game, James again was the star of the offense as he took 294 carries for 1,731 yards and a career-high 21 touchdowns. he also added 208 receiving yards and three touchdowns to his credit as well on the year. For that phenomenal outing, James finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2010.

While James only finished 10th in the Heisman voting for the 2011 season, he was still a lethal threat in the Oregon offense in his junior season, which was ultimately his last in Eugene. He rushed for a career-high 1,805 yards on 247 carries while scoring another 18 touchdowns and adding 210 receiving yards and another trip to the end zone.

Despite the impressive list of running backs that spent four years at Oregon, James still is second all-time on the Ducks career-rushing list and on the career rushing touchdowns list. He’s the single most dominant running back to pass through the program, which is saying something when you think about the guys who have suited up for the Ducks.

Home/College Football