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Oregon Football: 5 bold predictions for the 2021 season

By Connor Muldowney

Oregon inside linebacker Noah Sewell makes the the Hawaiian shaka (hang loose) gesture with his hands as he joins his team in warmups during Fall Camp with the Ducks.Eug 082021 Sewell 01
Oregon inside linebacker Noah Sewell makes the the Hawaiian shaka (hang loose) gesture with his hands as he joins his team in warmups during Fall Camp with the Ducks.Eug 082021 Sewell 01 /
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Dec 6, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back CJ Verdell (7) rushes against Utah Utes defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1) during the second half of the Pac-12 Conference championship game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back CJ Verdell (7) rushes against Utah Utes defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1) during the second half of the Pac-12 Conference championship game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

4. CJ Verdell rushes for over 1,500 yards

CJ Verdell had a bit of a tough season in 2020, averaging a career-worst 4.4 yards per carry while rushing for 285 yards and three touchdowns.

But he’s going to bounce back in a big way in 2021.

Verdell has already set a lofty goal of 2,000-plus rushing yards for himself and while I don’t think he’s going to quite reach that, I do believe he will have a career year. He has done and said all the right things this offseason concerning a bounce-back and the coaching staff has raved about him once again. Plus, he’s flying under the radar nationally.

We have to remember this is the same running back who rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons in Eugene so 1,500 yards isn’t completely out of the question. He’ll have to split some carries with Travis Dye and Sean Dollars, but if he’s the hot hand for most of the year like I think he’ll be, it’s going to be tough to give him less than 200-250 touches.

I think Verdell is going to be one of the best running backs in the country and rush for a career-best 1,500 yards with 10-plus touchdowns.

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