In a huge twist of fate for the Oregon football program, the players with the highest NFL potential on their 2016 roster have announced they will return to school for their senior seasons in 2017.
Both Royce Freeman and Tyrell Crosby were likely to be selected on the first day of the draft this year, but both have elected to play for new coach Willie Taggart this year.
Looking forward to 2017 season.
Thank you @DarioJokic for the edit pic.twitter.com/gJubJgq6Zh— Tyrell Crosby (@Tyrellcrosby) December 21, 2016
Here’s the release from Oregon about Freeman’s return:
Royce Freeman returning for senior season. https://t.co/XWgspWSxbO #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/eUZ6DfRd3L
— Oregon Football (@WinTheDay) December 21, 2016
EUGENE – University of Oregon running back Royce Freeman, who has led the Ducks’ rushing attack each of the last three seasons while claiming second-team All-America acclaim following his 2015 campaign, has announced his intention to return to school for his senior year.
Freeman, who ran for 945 yards in 11 games while battling injuries for most of the 2016 season, ranks second on the school’s career rushing chart with 4,146 yards, trailing only LaMichael James’ 5,082 yards (2009-11). Freeman’s 44 career rushing touchdowns also are surpassed only by James’ 53 scores on the ground on Oregon’s all-time list.
He ranked fourth in the country in rushing yards per game in 2015 (141.2 avg.) and will begin the 2017 season ninth on the conference’s all-time rushing ledger. The Imperial, Calif., standout has accumulated 22 100-yard rushing efforts throughout his first three seasons, including two games over 200 yards.
“After consulting with my family and giving this considerable thought, I feel this is the best decision for me in regards to my future on and off the field,” Freeman said. “My education was one of the most important reasons I chose to come to Oregon and that priority hasn’t changed.
“I wish to thank Coach (Mark) Helfrich and the entire coaching staff for the roles they have played in my success thus far. I am extremely grateful to Coach (Gary) Campbell for everything he has taught me and the influence he has had in my life over the last three years.
“However, the prospect of playing for Coach (Willie) Taggart my final year here was certainly a factor in my return. His enthusiasm and vision for this program are contagious. I am certainly excited to be coached by him and enhance my development.
“All praise to the most high; and Go Ducks.”
The two-time first-team Pac-12 all-conference choice set the school’s single-season rushing record with 1,836 yards as a sophomore and is one of only four Oregon players to ever rush for over 1,000 yards in two separate seasons.
“The return of an experienced talent such as Royce Freeman ranks among the top recruiting coups we could hope to attract to the University of Oregon in our first two weeks at the helm,” the Ducks’ first-year head coach Willie Taggart said. “Royce represents the type of young man that we intend to build this program around. Not only does he stand out as one of the top running backs in the country, he epitomizes the character of the type of student-athlete we are looking for as well as the work ethic of someone who truly wants to be here.”
