Football Depth Chart: Running Backs

The majority of the Oregon offense will be reloading with many new starters in multiple positions. However, the running back position will not be one of those areas. Despite losing LaMichael James to the NFL, the Ducks will still have two returning starters – one senior and another player coming off of a fantastic freshman season.

Getting the nod at the top of the charts is Kenjon Barner, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound back that’s received more touches each season and has answered by rapidly increasing his yards per game. Sitting at 28.2 average yards in his freshman season in 2009, he hit 78.3 yards last season and nearly eclipsed 1,000 total yards on the season (939).

There were four games in 2011 when Barner hit over the 100-yard mark. His career-high came against Arizona State with 171 yards on 31 carries. This also included the game against USC when he had 123 yards on 15 attempts.

In Barner’s 36 games across three seasons, he’s hit 1,831 total yards on 304 attempts, and scored 20 touchdowns. In the air, he’s had 34 receptions for 336 yards and five touchdowns.

De’Anthony Thomas may be second on the charts, but he will obviously be a huge factor this season. He amazed in his freshman debut, netting 1,200 yards in rushing and catching with 16 touchdowns. His most amazing highlights came against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl with two big runs for 155 yards total, both resulting in touchdowns. Four catches for 34 yards were also added to his stats.

Thomas is listed at 5-foot-9 and 173 pounds. He is also listed again as the top kickoff returner this season.

Rounding out the stable of running backs are sophomores Ayele Forde and Kenny Bassett. Forde saw some action last season; his best outing was against Oregon State with 56 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. He also scored a touchdown in the spring game, amassing 74 yards in 16 touches.

Bassett didn’t see the field last season, but he saw his first action in the spring game, contributing nine carries for 24 yards and two catches for 18 yards, also scoring a touchdown in the game. Even though he hasn’t seen playing time on the field, the walk-on has been working with the scout team for the past two seasons.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Autzen Zoo, follow the site on Facebook and Twitter. Read his other work on the Iowa State blog, Clones Confidential, and Watson Talk Lacrosse.