Oregon football: 5 great players who didn’t live up to the NFL hype

Under Chip Kelly and many of his successors, Oregon football consistently produced some electric running backs. The argument could be made, however, that LaMichael James was, bar none, the best of the bunch. Though he was only in the program for three years, he cemented a strong legacy in the college football world with the work he was able to put in.

James earned the starting job as a true freshman in 2009 and showed out as he was named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. He rushed for 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns, announcing his presence in a big way. But the running back became a bonafide star the following season, rushing for 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns with three receiving touchdowns as a sophomore. That led to him finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting.

While he only ended up 10th in the Heiman voting in his junior season, James continued to dominate in what was his final college season. He rushed for a career-high 1,805 yards and 18 touchdowns. In just three seasons, he set Oregon’s career rushing yards and rushing touchdown marks, which were since passed by four-year player Royce Freeman.

In the wake of his collegiate success, the San Francisco 49ers selected him No. 61 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. But James never found his footing at the next level. Over four seasons in the league, he played in only 18 games and registered just 44 carries for 193 yards in regular season play, scoring his lone NFL touchdown in the 2012 playoffs. He hasn’t played an NFL snap since 2015.