LaMichael James going pro

The greatest running back in Oregon Ducks history is wisely heading to the NFL Draft after his junior year, and the 2010 Doak Walker Award winner will not risk injury to spend his senior season in college. James has already done all he can to pump up his draft stock, and he has nothing to gain but a whole lot to lose at the pro level if he held this decision off for another year. In 2010, James led the country in yards from scrimmage (1,939) and rushing yards (1,731). James also had the most touchdowns in college football with 24 in 2010 and won the Doak Walker. Last year, he averaged an insane 7.4 yards per carry and amassed 1,646 yards on the ground; he is the only Pac-12 player in history to have three straight seasons with 1,500 rushing yards.

“I feel like I’m leaving with a bang,” said James.

James was certainly instrumental in the team’s Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin, as he rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown in the 45-38 victory for Oregon. James will be one of the most elusive backs in the draft, but one thing keeping him from declaring was his special relationship with reliable running backs coach Gary Campbell. However, we can all agree that James made the best choice for his future. If he injured himself in his senior season, James would no longer be a second round prospect and would probably end up being selected in the 4th or 5th rounds.

This season, LaMichael James led the nation with 150.4 rushing yards per game and was seventh in the country in yards per carry. James led the Pac-12 in seven different categories this season, and there is no doubt that he is one of the best players in team and conference history. James has the most touchdowns in school history, the most 100-yard rushing games, and the most points in team history (348).

After two poor games to start the season, the former consensus All-American had three straight games with at least 200 rushing yards; including one such performance against the usually stout Golden Bears run defense. Since the year 2000, James leads the Pac-12 in career rushing yards, touchdowns, and yards from scrimmage. As far as his career rankings since 2000 when looking at college football on a whole, LaMichael James rates very well. The former 3rd and 10th place Heisman vote-getter (he should have been higher than tenth this year) has the 9th most career yards from scrimmage in college football since the turn of the millennium, the eighth most rushing touchdowns, the 11th most overall TDs, the tenth most rushing yards, and the 14th most yards per carry.

It was definitely time for James to go, but it’s always sad to see such a great player and a fan favorite leave the team after so many successful seasons. James is undoubtedly a conference and team legend, and his importance to this team will carry on. Hopefully he succeeds at the pro level, and he should become an adequate starter or a very good No.2 back in the NFL.

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