Big Decision for LaMichael James

In all honesty, this post really couldn’t wait, and there is this thought in the back of my mind that is just sitting there even as I celebrate this Rose Bowl victory for the Oregon Ducks. Star running back LaMichael James- yes, you knew that was coming- has a huge choice that he must make heading into his senior season. Will he take his talents to the NFL? The answer isn’t really an obvious “yes”, because it seems like James is genuinely having second thoughts after the team’s huge win over the Wisconsin Badgers.

Every single Ducks fan out there wants LaMichael to stay, and he would stay in a perfect world. But yeah, you know the drill; this world sure isn’t perfect. If James stays for his senior season, he will risk a serious injury at the college level and could hurt his draft stock. Speaking of which, his stock is at its highest after a season in which he averaged 7.4 yards per carry and won the Rose Bowl. James could have entered the draft last season without so much as a “wait” from a scout. However, he chose to stick around another year- like Andrew Luck and Justin Blackmon- and reaped the rewards in the form of a prestigious victory in the Rose Bowl.

An NFL scout seems to agree with me, because he also stated that it just isn’t worth it for LaMichael James to spend five years with Oregon. He’s already ready and has proven all he needs to prove at the college level. Granted, he wants to go after a championship; but that’s just not worth it. An severe injury to a running back is disastrous, and James has little to gain and a lot to lose by staying. Again, he has already shown that he is a prolific back and is the Pac-12’s second leading rusher in history. Kenjon Barner, on the other hand, obviously needs more seasoning and would be a seventh rounder in this year’s draft. James would most likely be a second round pick, and he will make his final decision soon. James stated before the Rose Bowl that he would wait until after the game to declare his intentions so that there would be no distractions during the game. His decision will likely come today.

Right now, James has made it clear that he will talk things over with his family and teammates before coming to a decision. He is a glue guy through and through and will likely base his decision on what his teammates think. If I was the guy calling the shots for LaMichael- and thankfully I’m not- I would tell him to go to the NFL. The Ducks have a legitimate shot at a BCS Championship next season with him in the fold, but it isn’t worth risking his future. Besides, Kenjon Barner, and De’Anthony and Darron Thomas will be sticking around; the Ducks have plenty of returning talent on offense.

I know James will want to stay with Oregon in his heart, and all the fans want him to stay. However, it is time for reason to surpass emotion; it’s time for LaMichael James to say goodbye to college football and start tearing it up in the NFL. He is the best running back in college football, and his 7.4 yards per carry only furthers this notion. Anyone who suggests that the small, quick back isn’t great is likely a Huskies fan, my brother, Nick Holt’s evil twin, or somebody who has never watched a game of football in their life.

“There’s really nothing going on,” said Oregon’s leading rusher. “I don’t really know what happened with that deal. My family called me and asked if I had declared for the draft.”

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