When Minnesota running back Bucky Irving announced he was transferring to Oregon, it didn’t receive much fanfare.
Perhaps it should have.
Irving proved to be the tailback the Oregon Ducks needed in Dan Lanning’s first season in Eugene and now he’s finally getting some much-deserved recognition from the national media types.
According to ESPN, Irving is one of the top running backs in the country as the 2023 season quickly approaches. Irving gained just over 1,000 yards in his first season in Eugene and there’s no reason not to think he’ll spit out a similar year, if not better.
Irving, coupled with fellow transfer Noah Whittington, is half of what is most likely the best 1-2 punch coming out of the backfield in the Pac-12. The Golden Gophers’ loss has certainly been the Ducks’ gain.
Here is how Irving stacks up with the other top running backs in the nation.