Many first year freshman will be looking to make a mark early in their career, while some can expect more playing time than others. Only a few have enough tangibles to exert a push into the higher stakes of the depth chart. The do everything true freshman Royce Freeman has been the most talked about new face on campus since De'Anthony Thomas emerged in the fall of 2011. Already having the luxury to be able to use two experienced running backs in the backfield, expect Freeman to share time running in between the tackles as well as catching passes occasionally underneath the coverage for moderate gains.
Unlike De'Anthony Thomas or previous running backs that have spent time at Oregon the last 4-5 years. None of the them held the persona as a "bruiser" who can muscle up and exert their strength on a defensive line. Some can blurt out a "Legaurette Blount" or "Jonathan Stewart" comparison. Those accusations are quite measurable and reasonable, but only hold their worth up to a point. Neither Stewart nor Blount nor even Maurice Morris (throwback), had the ability to become any every down back. Of course Royce Freeman won't play every down this year, due to having a ton of depth around him in deeper areas. Yet a tailback who runs like a running back, has the brute strength of a fullback, and can catch the ball that eerily resembles a more built wide out will provide mis-matches anywhere across the field to utilize.
Thomas Tyner and Byron Marshall both have near polar opposite running styles, though show the same effectiveness. Freeman should be listed as a "hybrid" or even "wild card" in the form of the offense. When he's not in the backfield, Scott Frost wouldn't at all mind to take the chance of lining him up alongside the tight ends, aside from Johnny Mundt, in a few goal line formations. Or even can be inserted on the slot for deep routes near the sideline since he has the hands to do so. His often over looked speed might be the beneficiary for Freeman to have himself a breakout year.
So many options are available for Freeman, the only nag that could potentially cost him will be his durability. Some mark him down as a Dark horse Heisman threat, I'm not sure about that buy in. But definitely know he is a special future star in the making for Oregon. Royce Freeman is ours and you can't have him.
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