BREAKING NEWS:Analyst Suggests Oregon Running Back Could Break Out For One Key Reason By Zachary Rainey Athlon Sports

Edition Best of Middle Georgia News Sports Living & Entertainment Opinion Obituaries Video Featured Reality Check Uniquely Best of Middle Georgia Shopping/Reviews Deals & Offers Press Releases Sponsored Content Classifieds Place an Ad – Celebrations Search Jobs Search Legal Notices Advertising SALE! $1.99 for 6 months SUBSCRIBE SPORTS Analyst Suggests Oregon Running Back Could Break Out For One Key Reason By Zachary Rainey Athlon Sports Updated March 27, 2025 4:55 PM The Oregon Ducks are coming off quite a season. The Ducks finished last season with a perfect regular season record and defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions, a traditional conference power, in the Big Ten Championship. As a result, the Ducks earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and a rematch against the Ohio State Buckeyes, but fell 41-21. Oregon will look quite different next fall, especially with Dillon Gabriel moving on to the NFL. They also lost leading rusher Jordan James to the NFL Draft. Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws a pass. Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images One Oregon player could have a breakout season The Ducks didn’t waste much time addressing the need at running back. Former Tulane Green Wave running back Makhi Hughes chose Eugene, OR, as his home for next season. Hughes’ stats at Tulane last season were identical to James. James rushed 233 times for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns while Hughes rushed 265 times for 1,401 yards and 15 touchdowns. In what could be a match made in heaven, ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti picked Hughes as a player he believes will break out for the Ducks this season. “Running back Jordan James was an underrated part of the Oregon offense last season and, with him leaving for the NFL, the Ducks were quick to add Hughes from the transfer portal to try to fill the void,” wrote Uggetti. “Hughes spent his past two seasons at Tulane averaging over 5 yards per carry each of those two seasons and totaling 22 touchdowns (15 last season).” With a new quarterback under center for the Ducks this season, Uggetti believes Dan Lanning and the Ducks may rely more on the run game than if they had an experienced quarterback. “Without Dillon Gabriel under center and with a younger quarterback in Dante Moore taking over, it wouldn’t be surprising if offensive coordinator Will Stein relies on Hughes (as well as the rest of the Ducks’ running back room) to be the fulcrum of their offense this coming season,” wrote Uggetti. The Oregon football game is set for April 26, where we will see the new-look Ducks. With some coaches deciding to alter or get rid of the Spring Game, this will allow coaches and fans to learn more about their new team. While a perfect record or a second-consecutive Big Ten Championship may not be in the cards for the Ducks next season, there will be no talent shortage on Dan Lanning’s roster. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 4:08 PM. Take Us With You Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. MACON TELEGRAPH APP VIEW NEWSLETTERS SUBSCRIPTIONS Customer Service Start a Subscription Cancel a Subscription Make a Payment View Edition LEARN MORE About Us Contact Us Newsletters Archives Personal Finance ADVERTISING McClatchy Advertising Place an Ad Place a Classified Ad Place an Ad – Celebrations Place an Obituary Staffing Solutions Political | Advocacy Advertising Part of the McClatchy Media Network COPYRIGHT PRIVACY POLICY YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES COOKIE PREFERENCES TERMS OF SERVICE