The Oregon Ducks are historically well represented in the College Football Hall of Fame, with seven inductees across the school’s storied football history.
However, the team’s successes over the past two decades is hardly visible in the Hall at this point, with coach Mike Bellotti (inducted in 2014) as the only representative who wore the green and yellow this century.
That could change this year, as the 2023 Hall of Fame ballot was released on Monday, with 80 former players and nine former coaches on the list – including a pair of Oregon legends: running back LaMichael James and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.
This article will make the case for why James, widely considered one of the greatest Ducks of all time, should be among those inducted into the Class of 2023.
LaMichael James’ Hall of Fame Case
Simply put, LaMichael James was one of the most exciting, electric, must-watch college football players of his generation during his three years in Eugene under offensive guru Chip Kelly.
The Hall of Fame is not only about statistical accomplishments (of which James has plenty) but it is also about showcasing the college game’s most exciting players – and there is little doubt James qualifies.
In three seasons from 2009 to 2011, James never rushed for less than 1,500 yards, never had less than 14 rushing touchdowns, and never let the fans go take a bathroom break while his team was on offense.
He was twice a top-10 finalist for the Heisman Trophy Award (an extreme rarity for a modern running back) even finishing third in 2010 – the same year he won the Doak Walker Award for the nation’s top running back.
The two-time All-American First Teamer has plenty of statistical accomplishments as well, finishing his three-year career with 5,082 rushing yards (21st all-time and fourth in Pac-12 history) as well as 53 rushing touchdowns (also fourth in Pac-12 history).
Oregon has been a player in the national college football scene for about two decades, but the Chip Kelly era remains the school’s pinnacle of must-watch TV – and James deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame for his contributions.
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