By now the blueprint for Oregon running backs is clear and well-established.
If fans look at the runners who've risen to the top of the depth chart in the Dan Lanning era, they have three things in common: toughness, explosiveness and versatility.
Though they differed a bit in style and size, Bucky Irving, Jordan James and Dierre Hill all displayed those essential traits. Hill is so dynamic that he's emerged at the top of the depth chart as a true freshman five games after stepping on campus. He won the job in a single fall camp.
As a recruit Hill was highly regarded but not a superstar. In the 247Sports Composite he was 5-11, 185 coming out of Althoff Catholic in Belleville, Illinois, the No. 150 prospect and No. 8 running back. Good, but not someone the star-chasers were drooling after.
Yet he was Oregon's first choice. They saw something in him Texas and Miami perhaps missed, starting with those three traits, toughness, explosiveness and versatility.
Five games later he's caught a tunnel screen for a touchdown, lined up at wide receiver and scooted 26 yards to the end zone for a touchdown, and taken a pitch as a tailback and zoomed around the right side for a 65-yard touchdown. Against Penn State he burst free for two runs of 24 yards, 10 carries in all for 82 yards.
In the first five games of his college career he leads a formidable Oregon running back room with 270 yards on 26 carries, an eye-popping 10.4 yards a carry.
This is review, to illustrate and suggest that the Oregon staff has an eye for evaluating and developing running backs, an eye that's only gotten sharper as Ra'Shaad Samples has taken over the room.
Ducks legend Kenjon Barner has unequivocal praise for Samples' coaching ability.
Great stuff from Kenjon Barner on what makes @RashaadSamples an elite coach 🦆
— Travis Rooke-Ley (@travisrookeley) October 5, 2025
Full episode: https://t.co/5qoqcgyqKn pic.twitter.com/4dQKNeGKXZ
All this to suggest that when the program zeroes in on one back for the 2026 class, it's time to pay attention. In this recruiting cycle that back is Tradarian Ball from Texas High in Texarkana, Texas, 5-11, 185, No. 71 nationally in the 247Sports Composite and the No. 6 running back.
When he committed to the Ducks in July of 2024 before his junior season, Ball had racked up 39 offers. This fall Rally Preps magazine rated him the No. 1 back in Texas, the state that produced Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson and LaMIchael James, who is also from Texarkana.
Ball has the speed and explosiveness of his Oregon brothers, and he has something equally important. He has Oregon work habits.
Transfer Makhi Hughes has yet to announce a decision as to whether he intends to reenter the portal after electing to redshirt this year. Maybe he'll decide to stay and compete, and maybe he won't.
Either way, the Ducks are going to have a group with toughness, explosiveness and versatility, pulling for each other and making big plays. It's going to be something to see Ball join them.
He took his official visit in June and shut down his recruitment this spring.
Mid-Season Mix for @TradarianBall3 @THighFootball pic.twitter.com/MIe0q5wcNP
— Grant Spicher (@gw_prods) October 5, 2025