Sporting News: Royce Freeman Outside Top 5 Of Best Running Backs In 2016

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The Sporting News recently looked at the Top Running Backs in College Football entering 2016 and Royce Freeman came in just outside the top 5.

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When it comes to Running Backs in the Pac-12 we have learned over the last few seasons that they have to be quick, shifty, and good at running north to south. The Oregon Ducks have had a solid staple of Running Backs over recent years. From LaMichael James, to Kenjon Barner and now Royce Freeman.

In two seasons in Eugene, Freeman broke the Freshman rushing record, and came oh so close to a 2000 yard season last year. He finished the 2015 campaign with nine straight 100 yard games. One would think that after having two solid years in the position, there would be some respect, specifically from the media. There is one back ahead of him in the Pac-12 and that is Stanford Running Back Christian McCaffrey.

Sporting News lists Freeman as the sixth best Running Back entering the 2016 season. McCaffrey is number one, and for good reason. You don’t have to go far past the Rose Bowl vs Iowa last year to see why he is special. More special then Freeman. For Oregon Fans, this is not the end of the story. There will be a day in November where McCaffrey and Freeman will be the storyline as both teams will meet at Autzen Stadium.

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The date, Saturday, November 12th. It will also be Senior Day so emotions will be running high. Oregon closes out the season with trips to Utah and Oregon State. Fall Camp for the Oregon Ducks begins on August 8th.