There is no shortage of running back talent in Eugene, Oregon during the spring of 2023.
After a stellar season in 2022, the Ducks bring back both Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington, who combined for just under 2,000 yards in their first year with the program. On top of that, sophomore Jordan James is expecting a bigger role in the offense after serving as the go-to short-yardage rusher a year ago, and the Ducks also bring in two highly-rated 4-star RBs from the 2022 recruiting class — Dante Dowdell and Jayden Limar.
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When you come to college as a top-20 RB in your class — Dowdell was rated No. 6 in 2022, Limar No. 18 — there may be an expectation that you can get on the field as a true freshman and display some of the high ceiling that you bring. When you come to as stacked of a room as there is in Eugene, though. you’ve got some work to do in order to prove that you deserve the carries.
“Dante and Jayden, they have come along pretty well,” RB coach Carlos Locklyn said. “You’re gonna earn it in my room, and that’s it. You’re gonna earn it and they’re starting to get that, both of them.”
Earning a spot on the field may be more complicated than just running hard. While both backs had immense success at the high school level, any player will tell you that the college game moves quicker, and it takes more processing mentally in order the be an elite player.
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“They understand that it takes more than just getting the ball and running in college. This ain’t high school,” Locklyn said. “I say it to them all the time; this ain’t high school. This is college. It’s like starting all the way back over again.”
Despite the necessary jump in football IQ that is needed and the massive increase in game speed and player size, both Dowdell and Limar are coming along nicely so far in their first spring camp at the college level. While there have been limited opportunities for ‘to the ground’ tackling and contact beyond thudding pads, the two freshmen have had their names brought up multiple times after practices and scrimmages.
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On Saturday, head coach Dan Lanning revealed that Limar was among the players to get into the endzone via a pass from Ty Thompson. A week ago, Lanning also remarked that Dowdell really impressed him once it got to the point where RBs weren’t considered down on first contact, and he could display some of his physicality and tackle-breaking ability.
On top of all the physical traits, it appears that both players are starting to pick things up in the meeting room, as well, working hard to grow off of the field.
“They’re picking up everything well, they run it hard, but the biggest thing is they’re great listeners,” Locklyn said. “They listen to all the guys, they’re taking their coaching and they’re doing a really good job in that. But I’ve seen growth with them learning the playbook, learning their plays, understanding what it is to be a running back.”
With the loaded RB room stacked with talent at the top, there is no saying whether or not Dowdell or Limar will be able to carve out a meaningful role in 2023. But looking toward the future, it’s clear that the Ducks have a pair of backs in the waiting, primed and ready for a breakout when their opportunity arises.
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