LaMichael James (2023) - Hall of Fame - University of Oregon Athletics

LaMichael James

Induction:
2023
Class:
2012

A member of the historic 2010 Oregon football team that was inducted into the Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022, LaMichael James was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023, becoming the sixth Oregon football player ever to be enshrined in the Hall. James led Oregon to national prominence during his three seasons in Eugene, helping the Ducks win three straight Pac-10/12 titles and reach three consecutive BCS bowls, including the 2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship game. The first unanimous first-team All-American (2010) and consensus two-time All-American (2010 & 2011) in program history, James ranked second all-time at Oregon in career rushing yards (5,082), all-purpose yards (5,869), rushing touchdowns (53), 100-yard rushing games (26) and total points scored (348). He holds the program record with seven career 200-yard rushing performances, including five of more than 225 yards. James was a two-time first-team all-conference selection (2010 & 2011) and became just the third non-kicker since 1980 to lead the Pac-12 in scoring in back-to-back years. He was also one of just three players in conference history to rush for at least 1,700 yards in consecutive seasons. James claimed the Doak Walker Award in 2010 as the nation's best running back and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after leading the nation in rushing yards (1,731), yards from scrimmage (1,939) and touchdowns (24). His 21 rushing touchdowns tied the UO single-season record, and his 144 points scored are the most ever in a season by a Duck. James led Oregon to its first-ever 12-win season (2010), culminating in its first national championship game appearance. A native of Texarkana, Texas, James closed his career at Oregon with 1,805 rushing yards in 2011, second-most in UO single-season history. He averaged a UO record 7.31 yards per rush and erupted for a career-high 288 rushing yards in a win at Arizona, the No. 2 on single-game total in program history. His 363 all-purpose yards in that game were a program record. James was a finalist for the 2011 Doak Walker Award and the Paul Hornung Award, which goes to the most versatile player in the nation. In his final game as a Duck against Wisconsin in the 2012 Rose Bowl, James ran for 159 yards and a touchdown to lead Oregon to a 45-38 win. James burst onto the scene in Eugene in 2009, earning Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors after setting the conference record for rushing yards by a freshman with 1,546. James set the Oregon record for 100-yard rushing games by a freshman (9) while averaging 6.72 yards per carry, and was selected as a FWAA freshman All-American. The Ducks went a combined 34-6 during James' three seasons in Eugene and finished at No. 11 in the national rankings in 2009, No. 3 in 2010 and No. 4 in 2011. With James leading the way, the Ducks rushed for a program record 4,189 yards in 2011, the program's first season ever surpassing 4,000 yards on the ground. James was drafted by San Francisco in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and played for both the 49ers (2012-14) and the Miami Dolphins (2014-15). Following his professional career, James returned to Oregon to complete his degree and graduated in fall of 2016 with Bachelor of Arts in General Social Science/Crime, Law and Society.