Oregon Ducks new lead back a screaming value in preseason Doak Award odds
The Doak Award, given each year to the best running back in college football, is certainly prestigious. For Jordan James, who takes over the Oregon backfield, his current value at +2600 to win the award, combined with his ability, opportunity, and preseason praise from coaches, makes him a long shot worth sprinkling on, if you're […]
The Doak Award, given each year to the best running back in college football, is certainly prestigious. For Jordan James, who takes over the Oregon backfield, his current value at +2600 to win the award, combined with his ability, opportunity, and preseason praise from coaches, makes him a long shot worth sprinkling on, if you're into that sort of thing.
What makes James so good? Let's dive into it.
Jordan James capitalized on a smaller role last year
James has decent size. It's not like he's 6'0" 230 lbs, but at 5'10" 210 lbs listed on the team website (up from 205 lbs last year), James certainly has the build for the position. What James lacks in elite size he makes up for with a punishing, finishing running style.
I mean come on. That's first contact at the seven yard line, against a very good Washington defense, but James never stops moving his legs and driving for the end zone. James has the muscle and the play style to be a workhorse back.
Take PFF position grades for what they are, but James had the third-highest run grade in the country last year.
James averaged 7.1 yards per carry, and a very solid 4.12 yards after contact per carry. He also logged 28 missed tackles forced and 10 runs that went for 15+ yards on only 94 rushing attempts.
Now with Bucky Irving gone to the NFL, leaving behind 186 rushing attempts from last season, James should be in store to roughly double his opportunities from a year ago in a revamped Oregon offense.
Comments from coaches have been glowing about James this offseason
Going into 2024, comments from coaches all offseason have been raving about how James and the work he's put in.
"He plays really loud, and I appreciate a guy who plays loud, brings the energy every single day, runs hard, runs tough. You know, he's that guy that has toughness," head coach Dan Lanning said earlier this week. "I thought he's been really strong on the ball this year, done a good job snatching it and attacking it, and then when he's had opportunities to block, he's blocked hard."
"I think Jordan is running like an angry guy, which is exactly how you want your running back to run. He's out here improving in the spring," Lanning said back in April. "I'm really proud of Jordan's development and where he's headed."
Offensive coordinator Will Stein also has made plenty of comments about James and the work he's putting in.
"When you look at him right now he’s faster than he’s ever been,” Stein said. “I’m talking like real break-away speed, which is very impressive.”
Stein said in a post-practice interview earlier in Fall Camp that James was hitting a top speed over 22 mph while training this summer. That is elite speed.
If James has increased his speed, his weight, and his pass-catching ability, then he will be primed to emerge as one of the best running backs in the country.
Oregon Ducks keep elite west coast offensive tackle recruit away from Washington as he becomes the face of 2026 class
What a huge get for the Ducks.
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on X @JonHelmkamp, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSportsNFL for all the latest news.
