Oregon Ducks Running Back Jordan James Named ‘Next Bucky Irving’ – Sports Illustrated

The Oregon Ducks travel to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday afternoon. Ducks running back Jordan James spoke after practice, detailing what stands out about Michigan.

James also talked about the recent performances of his teammates, running backs Noah Whittington and Da’Juan Riggs.

Jordan James on Michigan: ‘It’s going to be a challenge for us’

The identity of the Michigan Wolverines is toughness and physicality in the trenches. Jordan James was asked about what sets him apart from two of the Wolverines’ best defenders, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.

“On record, they dominate people. That’s two first-round picks they have going forward,” James said. “It’s going to be a challenge for us.”

James was asked if he expects any difference against this defense compared to last season.

“No. I know my offensive line is going to get the job done,” James said. “It doesn’t matter who we’re up against.”

Oregon’s offensive line put on a clinic last week in a 38-9 win over Illinois. Overall, the Ducks had 39 rushes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. With seven different Ducks receiving carries, they averaged nearly six yards per carry.

Going up against a good defensive line means James will have to be ready for drops when called upon in pass protection. James approaches every play the same whether he has the ball or not.

“You try to show what you can do without the ball in your hands because you know that’s just as important as what you can do with the ball in your hands,” James said. “It feels good to knock the guys down.”

Ducks find the next Bucky Irving?

In addition to James, running backs Noah Whittington and Da’Juan “Dink” Riggs also had good games against Illinois. James was asked about the performance of these two.

“He (Noah Whittington) is brutal, he’s physical,” James said. “He doesn’t have the size that I do, but he runs just as physically, if not more physically.”

As for freshman Riggs, James says he reminds everyone of former Duck and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bucky Irving.

“We’ve been calling him Bucky since he got here,” James said. “We feel like he runs like Bucky. We see it in practice every day … He puts in the effort.”

For Riggs, it’s great company. Bucky Irsing rushed for over 1,000 yards in both of his seasons as a Duck, in 2022 and 2023. He is currently thriving in his rookie year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and looks like a steal in the 2024 NFL Draft.