Oregon Ducks fall camp position breakdown: Running backs

The Oregonian/OregonLive will be previewing each of 10 position groups leading up to the start of Oregon’s fall camp on Aug. 2. The second installment in the series reviews the running backs.
Oregon can make a strong case for having the best individual running back and the most talented room at the position in the Pac-12.
Bucky Irving is the conference’s leading returning rusher and the Ducks led the league in rushing against winning teams last season.
Noah Whittington was productive in his own right. Jordan James carved out a role as a true freshman that should expand this season and Jayden Limar and Dante Dowdell give UO a very deep running back corps.
Returning starter: Bucky Irving, redshirt-junior
Other returning players: Noah Whittington, junior; Jordan James, sophomore; Dante Dowdell, freshman; Jayden Limar, freshman
Departed: Byron Cardwell Jr. (transferred to Cal); Sean Dollars (transferred to Nevada)
Summer arrivals: n/a
Outlook: Irving proved to be one of the most significant additions to Oregon’s offense last season and is a critical returning weapon this season.
Oregon’s run game leans heavily on Irving and when he and Bo Nix are on the field together the Ducks have multiple threats to run and another option to catch as well.
Whittington showed he can withstand Power 5 competition and gives UO a different skill set in the backfield.
James established himself as a short-yardage specialist and should see more opportunities this season.
Dowdell and Limar each arrived in the winter and got some run in the spring game. How UO manages the carries lower on the depth chart will be of note as the top end talent should get a lot of work.
Battle to WATCH: Dowdell and Limar are vying for the No. 4 spot, which should get some opportunities. But barring injury it’s possible they alternate all season and each preserve redshirts.
Keep an Eye on: Whittington. He had several great situational splits last season, including on third down, and was extremely productive when Oregon was trailing by a score.
Projected two deep:
Bucky Irving: 5-foot-10, 194 pounds
Noah Whittington: 5-foot-8, 194 pounds