ESPN tabs Ducks' undetermined RB depth as intriguing spring game story

At the top of the positon, the Oregon Ducks are set at running back. The phenomenal true freshman duo from 2025 of Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. is back for their sophomore campaigns after combining for 1,522 total yards and 21 total touchdowns. Those numbers should balloon even more with the departure of Noah Whittington, who led the team in rushing yards and departed for the 2026 NFL Draft.

But all anyone has to do is look back at the week leading up to the College Football Playoff Semifinals against the Indiana Hoosiers from last season to know that more depth is needed outside of just Davison and Hill. During that time, both Whittington and Davison were ruled out with injuries while several others entered the transfer portal, leaving the team.

Hill and since-departed running back Jay Harris (now at Kansas State) were the only available backs for the Ducks, and it had a hand in their 56-22 defeat.

That's why head coach Dan Lanning went to work in adding to that position via the portal and 2026 class this offseason while also retaining a key reserve — and why ESPN named the Ducks' running backs as the position of intrigue to watch during Oregon's spring game on Saturday.

"The Ducks lost their leading rusher, Noah Whittington (829 yards, six TD), but might have a better backfield next season thanks to the expected development of Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr," ESPN analyst Kyle Bonagura wrote. "The talented duo both rushed for over 600 yards as freshmen last season, combining for 20 touchdowns on the ground (Davison 15, Hill 5). As the Ducks experienced in the College Football Playoff, though, this is a position where depth is important, making this spring a key time to build confidence in the players behind them, including Da'Jaun Riggs, who received 28 carries and rushed for 168 yards over the past two seasons in low-pressure situations."