2010 Heisman Hopefuls: LaMichael James
Success is something football fans in Oregon have begun to grow accustomed to. Not only is perennial loser Oregon State on a winning track, but their rival, the Oregon Ducks, have been doing well for some time.
When Rich Brooks left the team after the 1994 season, fans may have been worried; its tough losing your school’s most successful coach. Little did they know the string of bowl appearances the school would embark on under Mike Belloti starting in 1995.
Belloti failed to take the team to a bowl game only twice in 15 seasons at the helm. When he left following the 2009 season, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly took over. He continued right where Belloti left off, going 10-3 in his first season in charge.
Kelly has been faced with some hard decisions in his young career already. In Jeremiah Masoli he had a dual threat quarterback that could pass and run; in 2009 he had 659 yards on the ground with 12 touchdowns to go with 2147 passing yards and another 15 touchdowns.
Massoli was a great compliment to running back James. At the conclusion to the 2009 season both were being talked about as potential Heisman candidates in 2010. However, Massoli ended up getting dismissed from the team after a series of legal issues leaving James the go-to guy in the Oregon backfield.
High School
A smart, athletic player from Texarkana, Texas, James was ranked among the best among all-purpose backs in the nation coming out of high school in 2008 (12 by Rivals.com) and the 39th best player coming out of the state of Texas.
At 5’9” and 180 pounds he was a workhorse for the Leopards of Liberty-Eylau. Seeing time as a sophomore in 2005 he rushed for 643 yards and 10 touchdowns off of just 76 carries for an impressive 8.5 yards a carry.
His work garnered him all-state honors as a junior and senior. In his junior year his average dipped to seven yards a carry as he rushed 229 times for 1600 yards and 16 touchdowns; he would add another 500 yards on 33 receptions (and another three touchdowns). During his senior year he would put on an impressive display for prospective colleges rushing for 2043 yards (including a single game effort of 322 yards) off of 230 carries, scoring 24 touchdowns.
With 53 touchdowns over a three year span and an eight yard average per carry it was easy to see why colleges like Oregon would be interested in the young running back.
College
James would redshirt his freshman year in 2008, but his work ethic would shine on the scout team as he was recognized twice as the scout team player of the week.
His chance would come unexpectedly in 2009. Starter LeGarrette Blount was suspended for a second time after punching an opposing player following the team’s season opening loss. James would waste no time in proving that he was worthy of the starting running back job.
Against Utah he rushed the ball 27 times for 152 yards and one touchdown leading the Ducks to a 31-24 win. James ended up with over 100 yards in almost every game that he saw significant time. His highest rushing total would come against PAC-10 rival USC; on 24 carries he came close to rushing for 200 yards as he got 183 yards on the day to go with a single touchdown. He would clear 200 all-purpose yards for the first time the following week against Stanford (125 rushing and 89 receiving).
After rushing for 1546 yards off of 230 carries and scoring 14 touchdowns it is easy to see why James would get mentioned as a potential Heisman candidate. However, he will have to overcome a one game suspension due to legal issues in order to become a viable candidate.
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