University of Oregon Redshirt Freshman RB LaMichael James is having the type of freshman season that Coach Chip Kelly wanted everyone to believe he would have, but even Chip has to be a little bit surprised at how well his young back is performing.
ESPN’s Heisman Trophy Watch List is lead by Alabama RB Mark Ingram. He has carried the ball 194 times for 1297 yards and 10 TD’s. He averages 6.7 yards per carry. He specializes in yards after carry and is impressive at that, his numbers are actually less impressive than LMJ’s.
Last year Jaquizz Rodgers was named the PAC10 offensive player of the year when he carried the ball a mind numbing 259 times for 1253 yards and 11 TD’s. Those are great numbers for a season but his average was only 4.8 yards per carry. This year Quizz is having an encore performance that is impressive having rushed for 17 TD’s already and 1148 yards, but that has came on 215 carries for an average of 5.3 yards per carry. Quizz is also on ESPN’s watch list and regarded among the top backs in the nation. His numbers however are actually less impressive than LMJ’s.
Toby Gerhart is quietly becoming everyone’s dark horse Heisman Canidate. This year he has carried the ball more than anyone in the PAC10 at 262 carries and likely to finish with over 300, he has punished opposition by already rushing for 19 TD’s and 1395 yards. But he is more of a shining example of durability rather than ability, his yards per carry average is just over 5.3. He is the main reason that Stanford is headed to a bowl this year and his average is good, but still not as gaudy as LMJ’s.
Cal’s Javhid Best is a household name, even before falling 11 feet to the turf and landing on his neck. Before his injury he had carried the ball 141 times for 867 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per touch. Best’s numbers are worthy of his future as an NFL back, LMJ is still better in every category but TD’s, Best having 12 on the season.
Joe McNight is one of the most heralded players coming out of high school in recent memory and his numbers are fantastic. Stuck in Pete Carrols RB stable, he has 143 carries for 932 yards at an incredible 6.5 yards per carry with 9 rushing TD’s. In case you were wondering, close but still not LMJ.
LMJ has rushed for 1198 yards on just 171 carries with 11 TD’s. His average is a mind boggling 7.0 yards per carry. His TD numbers are deflated largely due to his QB Jeremiah Masoli having called his own number for 9 TD’s on the ground.
Ingram is acclaimed for his yards after contact. Quizz is the definition of dynamite coming in small packages. Toby is a tireless workhorse. Best is a surefire NFL star. McNight is electrifying.
LMJ is all of these things without the recognition, in one 5’9” 180lbs package, and he's got the Oregon record book in his sights!
- Kurt Valentine
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