Oregon Ducks RB Tagged as 'Breakout Candidate' for 2024 College Football Campaign

The Oregon Ducks have a sizable hole to fill in their backfield after losing standout running back Bucky Irving to the NFL Draft earlier this year.

The new Big Ten program may not have to look very far to find his replacement in 2024.

Jordan James, a third-year back for the Ducks, was recently named on Pro Football Focus' list of top-ten breakout candidates for the coming college football season.

Here's what PFF's Mitch Kaiser wrote about the junior Oregon back.

"Jordan was very good in 2023, so there is a case to be made that he has already 'broken out,' but he'll enter the 2024 campaign as the primary featured back in Oregon’s offense and will get even more opportunities to make a name for himself," Kaiser said.

"He averaged more yards per carry (7.1) [than Irving last season] and put up better marks in every major PFF statistical category."

As suggested above by Kaiser, it may be difficult to classify James as a 'breakout' candidate after his incredibly efficient 2023 campaign with the Ducks. He tallied 759 rushing yards on just 107 attempts and added 132 receiving yards on 15 catches.

He also scored 12 touchdowns - just one fewer than his backfield-mate in 2023 (Irving scored 13).

James and the Ducks will open the regular season at home against Idaho on Aug. 31.