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Oregon Football: 3 way-too-early breakout candidates for 2022

By Connor Muldowney

Cornerback Dontae Manning jokes with fellow players during practice.Euyg 081421 Uo Defense 02
Cornerback Dontae Manning jokes with fellow players during practice.Euyg 081421 Uo Defense 02 /
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EUGENE, OREGON – NOVEMBER 13: Running back Byron Cardwell #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs the ball for a touchdown during the second half of the game against the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won 38-17. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON – NOVEMBER 13: Running back Byron Cardwell #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs the ball for a touchdown during the second half of the game against the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won 38-17. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Travis Dye shocked everyone when he hit the transfer portal a couple of weeks ago. Everyone assumed his decision would come down to staying for one final season or entering the NFL draft, but he decided to pull off a surprise move, and now he’s the third-best uncommitted transfer.

Dye is gone and so is Trey Benson who came in as a four-star freshman in 2021 so that leaves Oregon with Byron Cardwell and a couple of guys who missed most of the season with injuries: CJ Verdell and Sean Dollars. Verdell could still decide to go pro and Dollars entered the portal before pulling his name right back out.

So to say that Oregon needs someone to step up in the backfield would be an understatement. I think Cardwell will be that guy and if Verdell isn’t fully healthy or if he goes pro, he’ll be the Ducks’ next 1,000-yard rusher.

As a freshman, Cardwell was solid, rushing for 417 yards and three touchdowns on 6.8 yards per touch. While you might say that could be considered a “breakout”, I don’t think it’s going to compare to what we will see from him in 2022.

Cardwell is going to be a star in the backfield next season.

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