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LATEST NEWS

06/20/11 - University of Oregon officials are releasing documents regarding the football program's use of recruiting services and other tools. Some information regarding Willie Lyles and his relationship with LaMichael James are included.

05/16/11 - Bucs running back LeGarrette Blount said he would like to be reunited with James, his former collegiate teammate. The Ducks' standout was the star of Oregon’s offense en route to undefeated regular season and loss in the National Championship game. James is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. He would provide a real change of pace from a power back like Blount. As a sophomore, James ran for over 1,500 yards and followed that with 1,731 yards as a junior. He’s averaged 6.3 yards per carry with 35 rushing touchdowns. He also has 34 career receptions for 376 yards and three scores. Right now some are projecting James to be a second-rounder while others think he could be a mid to late first-round pick. By the time the draft roles around the lack of size (5-9, 185) could make James an option after the first round in the second or third frame. Plus defenses will be focused on him even more so in 2012 and that could lead to reduced numbers. Source: Pewter Report

11/04/10 - LaMichael James has given no indication that he intends to declare for next April’s NFL draft, but scouts are paying close attention to Oregon’s sophomore tailback. James redshirted as a true freshman, so he is eligible. “He has been so dang productive,” says one scout, who asks for anonymity. “His size will be an issue, and he probably is not going to be an every-down back in the NFL. Look around the league. How many guys his size are players? There are some, but not many. “But he is so quick, with great speed. He can catch the ball, and he has (kickoff and punt) return ability. Some guys who come out of the spread offense are a product of the system. I think he’s more than that. “Somebody is going to be interested in him if he comes out. I imagine everybody in the Pac-10 hopes he does.” But the scout recommends James stay at Oregon for another year. “Guys mature,” he says. “Their bodies get a little stronger, they may learn a little more about (pass) protection, they may grow up a little. It’s too early to project (where James might go in the draft), but if he is going to be a mid- to late-round choice, why not stay and do more work toward a degree?” – Portland Tribune

10/04/10 - Just 17 games into his career, 15 of them starts, LaMichael James has set the bar that high, and is already up to eighth on the UO career rushing list. Less than halfway through his sophomore season, James has penciled his name throughout Oregon’s record book, and is on pace for unprecedented rushing totals over the course of a season and career with the Ducks. For the season — cut short by a one-game suspension for the opener — James has 89 carries for 712 yards and seven touchdowns. His average of 178 yards per game is second in the nation, and if sustained would translate into the greatest year ever by a UO running back. Should he keep up that pace, James would not only finish as Oregon’s all-time single-season rushing leader, but the Ducks’ career leader as well — with two seasons of eligibility remaining. And he might be able to inch up even further in the Heisman discussion. — Eugene Register-Guard

08/15/10 - Oregon running back LaMichael James tweaked his knee in Saturday's practice after getting his foot caught in the turf. James had ice on his knee after practice, after getting his foot caught in the turf late in the day. “I feel OK, I feel OK,” James said. He was hoping he just got a scare. “I feel good,” he said. “We’ll just wait and see.” – Register Guard

08/13/10 - LaMichael James is really, really fast – apparently faster and stronger than last season. “I don’t know – I don’t know how fast a human being can be, but he’s pretty close to the top,’’ quarterback Nate Costa said. “If you say he’s getting faster … pretty soon we’re going to stop seeing him.’’ Linebacker Spencer Paysinger barely saw James as he scampered around the left end for a score, the fleet Paysinger offering feeble pursuit. “He’s fast,’’ Costa said of James. “I don’t know if he’s faster, but he’s very, very fast.’’ – OregonLive.com

08/09/10 - Oregon running back LaMichael James said he has learned the responsibility that comes with playing football. James spoke Monday as the Ducks opened fall camp with high expectations tempered by offseason trouble. The rusher who set a Pac-10 freshman record last season pleaded guilty in February to misdemeanor harassment stemming from an altercation with a former girlfriend. James, who admits his mistake, said he cannot measure the lessons he took from the experience. "You have to fly straight and narrow - that's just what you have to do,'' he said. James was sentenced to 10 days in jail and 24 months of probation. His ex-girlfriend claims he grabbed her neck and pushed her to the ground during an argument. James apologized to the woman in writing and accepted responsibility for his actions. Coach Chip Kelly suspended him for the season opener against New Mexico on Sept. 4 James rushed for 1,546 yards last season, the ninth-highest total in the nation. He had seven consecutive 100-yard games before Ohio State limited him to 70 in Oregon's 26-17 loss in the Rose Bowl. – Associated Press

ACCOLADES

2009
•Pac-10 Offensive Freshman of the Year (Pac-10 Coaches)
•National Freshman Performer of the Year (College Football Performance Awards)
•Freshman All-America (FWAA, CollegeFootballNews.com)
•3rd Team All-American (AP, Sporting News)
•2nd Team All-Freshman (Phil Steele Publications)
•1st Team All-Pac-10 (Phil Steele Pub., Rivals.com, ESPN.com)
Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (Sporting News)
•2nd Team All-Pac-10 (Pac-10 Coaches)
Pac-10 All-Freshman (Sporting News)
•Pac-10 Player of the Week (Offense vs. USC)
•Team’s Most Outstanding Player (Skeie’s Award)