Dan Lanning Offers the Best, Biggest News to Come Out of Oregon Media Day

Hope is a good thing, Red, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.

Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption

Media days are about hope. Around the country the coach comes out and gives a statement, the players take to a table in their jerseys and talk about their teammates and the work of the offseason, and from Florida State to Michigan State to the University of Oregon, the theme is hard work, teamwork and optimism, and that's exactly how it should be.

In that way it's similar to baseball spring training. If the pitching comes around, if that kid from Triple A puts it together, if the free agent retread signed from the National League rediscovers his groove, this can be our year. We can really win the pennant.

At the start of things, everyone, every team ought to see a path to success and promise. Otherwise, why lift all those weights? Why do all that work and truck the inflatable Duck to Indianapolis?

At Oregon Media Days yesterday there was the usual tumult of words and questions, understandably, because interest in Duck football has never been higher. Thirty reporters attended, probing for insights and angles, just as they should.

But the most significant bit of news to come out of it all was a statement Dan Lanning made about Noah Whittington, the junior running back from Fort Valley, Georgia who missed all but four games last year, suffering a knee injury in the 42-6 victory over Colorado.

Lanning indicated that the 5-8, 208-pound powerhouse would be full-go at fall camp, ready for practice reps and a game one share of the workload.

Asked about Whittington's progress, the coach said, "Noah just works. It kind of keeps his mouth shut and just works. And that’s what you know he’s come back quicker than anticipated, in some ways, because of how he works. We always talk about, when you’re being an aggressive rehab specialist. I’d say he’s ahead of the curve right now, and he looks really good back."

The news was huge for Oregon's Big Ten and college football playoff hopes. Whittington's a veteran back with big-play ability and good hands out of the backfield. His health gives the Ducks a solid one-two punch at running back in the physical Big Ten, combining with Jordan James.

The Ducks have to replace Bucky Irving, who ran for 1180 yards and 11 touchdowns last season on 186 carries. It's much easier to do that with two proven backs, particularly when reaching their goals means surviving and advancing through what could be a 17-game season. The season always has its dings and nicks at the running back position. It's a collision sport; the best of them learn to play with a certain amount of discomfort.

There's depth too, provided the transfer monster doesn't gobble some of it up. Big back Jay Harris, a transfer from Division II Northeast Missouri State had 1,433 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, earning small school All-American honors. He's 6-2, 215, flashing the ability to drive through tacklers in the spring game. Speedster Jayden Lamar reaches his sophomore season after appearing in 11 games last season, 24 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown. Da'Jaun Riggs joins the squad from St. John's High School in Washington D.C., 6-0, 202 pounds. He rushed for 662 yards and six touchdowns while catching 26 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns in his senior year.

The ability to run the football opens up an offense and gives a team the path to icing a game in the fourth quarter. Whittington rushed for 779 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2022 as a sophomore, catching 22 passes for 169 yards and one more score. The Ducks have a much stronger outlook at running back if he's indeed able to go.

More hope, in a season of hope.