Oregon Football: How each 2021 position group compares to 2020
Running back
Verdict: Better than 2020
Just like the receiving corps, the backfield returns its leaders from a season ago. The two players who shared carries last season are both back and one of them has set a lofty goal of 2,000 yards for himself this season.
Verdell is one of the nation’s top backs and although he had an off-year in 2020 with 285 yards and three touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry, he rushed for over 1,000 in his first two seasons.
Travis Dye will be his No. 2 this season and he’s coming off a big year as he rushed for a team-best 443 yards and a touchdown on 6.9 yards per touch. A duo of Dye and Verdell will strike fear into every defense and should make up the best backfield in the Pac-12 maybe outside of Arizona State.
Sean Dollars suffered an injury this spring but he showed promise in short stints in 2020 and Trey Benson, Byron Cardwell, and Seven McGee will add depth to the position group.
No losses and only solid additions? Yeah, this group will be better.