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It doesn’t take a learned historian to look at true-freshman Byron Cardwell and notice that he has something in common with some of the greatest running backs to ever play for the Oregon Ducks.
Yes, his elusive speed conjures up images of LaMichael James cutting outside of the tackles and burning defenders down the sideline. His incredible patience behind blockers and ability to hit a hole as soon as it opens will also remind many of Royce Freeman’s days in the green and yellow.
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The talent and ability has a proverbial ceiling being raised each and every week that he steps onto the field, but it’s neither of those things that draws a direct comparison between Cardwell and the history books. It’s his number.
#21.
It was popularized over a decade ago when James burst onto the scene and helped buoy Chip Kelly’s explosive offense. Freeman came along several years later and carried on the legacy, rushing his way to Oregon fame. As it stands now, those two names occupy the top spots on Oregon’s all-time rushing list.
So where does Cardwell fit in? Well, not in the same stratosphere as those two, just yet, unless we were to project what the future might hold.
Over the last few games, Cardwell has been an impact player for the Ducks, working to take some of the load off of Travis Dye’s shoulders in the wake of CJ Verdell’s season-ending injury. He has a total of 32 carries over the last three games, with 280 yards and 4 TDs. By all means, he looks like the real deal, and someone who could have a storied legacy at Oregon should he continue down this path.
“I know that there’s two great backs that wore that number before, and I’m another great back in the making that’s going to wear that number also,” Cardwell said on Saturday night after his two-touchdown performance against Washington State. “We all run differently, and I just know that I have to go out there and do what I am gifted to do.”
It wasn’t always a given that Cardwell was going to get this opportunity to play as a true freshman. When he was recruited by the Ducks last season as a 4-star player out of San Diego, he was well aware of the fact that players like Verdell and Dye were on the roster, and he would likely have to wait his turn to get on the field. That didn’t stop him from putting in the necessary work to be ready when his name was called, though.
“Just coming in, you always have that mindset of wanting to play, but you know that, in my situation, there were guys ahead of me,” Cardwell said. “But I didn’t let that stop me from keep working hard and having my goals and aspirations. So events happen, and I was able to come in and perform.”
We’ve seen the performance, but what his teammates make note of is the preparation. More than a few players on the Oregon roster have remarked this year at how hard Cardwell works in practice, marveling at the high motor that keeps driving his potential through the roof.
“Byron has been playing with extreme confidence, and hats off to him because he’s really been working at it,” said QB Anthony Brown. “Especially in practice, moving at a higher intensity than most freshmen would be. I’m just really proud of him and excited to see where he’s going with this.”
It’s easy to get ahead of yourself when watching an 18-year-old kid tear it up at the collegiate level, looking like a veteran player who has learned the ins and outs of zone schemes and allows blocks to develop downfield in front of him. We know there is a lot of growth yet to take place, and having patience will be a key part of the process.
When you watch an RB wearing #21 running down the Oregon sideline, though, it’s hard not to get excited.
“I’m another great back in the making that’s going to wear that number.”
We can only hope.
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