2018 Oregon Football Fall Camp Battles To Watch: Running Back

Oregon Football begins 2018 with a new Running Backs Coach in Jim Mastro, who has a lot of talent to work with.

The Oregon Ducks had a seasoned Starter over the last four seasons in Royce Freeman. He pushed his way into the record books as the all-time leading rusher in school history in his final season. The team found their way to a National Championship game in his Freshman campaign but did not get back there in his final three seasons in an Oregon Uniform.

Freeman was the elder statesman of the Pac-12 in his final year. He was one of a few that had seen three Oregon Coaching Changes. If he had eligibility remaining, he would have seen a fourth this year with Mario Cristobal taking over the Head Coaching spot.

Entering the 2018 season, Tony Brooks James will be the most experienced at the position with a lot of talent behind him looking to get carries. CJ Verdell will certainly see the field in 2018 after an impressive debut in the Spring Game with two touchdowns. Darrian Felix saw some playing time last season, but appeared injured during Spring Practice. He showed a shiftiness last year on the field. Verdell showed power of his own getting North to South on both of his touchdown runs in early May.

Joining Verdell his season are Travis Dye and Cyrus Habibi-Likio. The Spring Game had soe intrigue with Travis Dye going up against his older brother Troy Dye, who has become a mainstay of the Jim Leavitt Defense in his first season with the team.

Taj Griffin is also listed as a Running Back, but has played at different positions in the last few seasons. Two years ago he suffered an ACL injury and should be totally 100 percent entering the 2018 season.

Next: Oregon Football Recruiting: Ducks Add Another QB for 2019

Oregon begins the 2018 season hosting Bowling Green on Saturday. September 1st at 5 pm Pacific Time on Pac-12 Network.