LaMichael James was supposed to play a supporting role this year. Instead, he has become the main attraction in Oregon’s rushing attack. Instead of relieving potential Heisman Trophy candidate LeGarrette Blount off the bench, he now finds himself answering the question: Can anyone catch him?
"I don't know if anyone can catch me," explains the 5-foot-9, 180-pound running back from Texarkana, Texas, with a soft-spoken laugh. "I don't know how fast the guys we're going to be playing are. Someone might catch me, but I'll keep running until they do."
James' running ability couldn't have come at a more opportune time for the Ducks. After the suspension of Blount, Oregon needed someone to save the rushing attack, and James, though undersized at first glance, played larger than anyone on the coaching staff could've imagined.
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"LaMichael has outstanding speed and quickness," says Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly. "He doesn't go down on first contact, and he's a lot stronger than people think he is. Each week, he's gotten better and better, and hasn't plateaued at all."
James has indeed gotten better each game, including an impressive 183-yard performance in a 47-20 victory over USC. It marked the third time this season that James has rewritten the single-game rushing record by an Oregon freshman.
It is performances like these that have him now in consideration as a potential Heisman candidate, and his Ducks in contention for their first Rose Bowl since 1994. It is also why so many are asking: Who is this guy? I recently spoke with LaMichael James to find out.
You were a star in football as well as track, while attending Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana. What was it like growing up down there?
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It was really hot and humid. (Laughs). As far as my high school years are concerned, I did set a lot of records in track and football and I'm proud of all of them. Whenever you can break a record, and set your name on something, it's a good thing.
How does a guy from a football-crazy state like Texas end up playing in Eugene?
I liked the environment and Autzen Stadium. It really is lovely up here. When I came here during my initial visit, I thought about how much different it was from Texas. I never really had change in my life before then, and I wanted to try something different.
Before you came here, how much did you actually know about Oregon football?
I really didn't know much, other than that the Ducks had really cool uniforms. (Laughs).
You redshirted last season, and the coaches knew you'd be a good fit in the program. But did you see the success you've had this year happening so quickly?
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Not at all. I mean, I thought I'd be a great player in this offense, but things just happen for a reason. As far as why I'm emerging so fast . . . let's just say my offensive line is very good.
One of the reasons you're currently starting is because of the suspension of LeGarrette Blount. Before that happened, what kind of role did you expect to have this season?
I expected to play in the slot a lot. I didn't think I'd get the bulk of the reps, because LeGarrette is a great player, and I'll back him up any day. But when the incident happened after the Boise State game, I knew I had to step up and be a leader.
How did you personally deal with the Boise State loss?
It was a really bad night, and I was very anxious to get to practice to fix the problem, because you don't want to live with that feeling for another week. I think that I, as well as the rest of the team, just wanted to work hard and prove to everyone that how we played in the first game is not Oregon.
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Your team seems to be clicking on all cylinders at the moment. What would you say the biggest difference is between that fateful night in Boise and now?
I think we're just very determined. We're very humble and everyone knows the task at hand. It really starts in practice, where we go at it hard, before the game has even started. That makes us very comfortable going into the game.
If or when LeGarrette Blount does come back this season, are you and your fellow running back Kenjon Barner going to mind having to concede a few carries to him? How is that going to work?
Not at all. We love LeGarrette like a brother. He's a great player, so we won't mind. I think it would be good for him to get some carries in.
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You're not the biggest guy on the team, but Coach Kelly says people are surprised when they find out how strong you are. Do you believe that your size has helped you accomplish what you have this season?
Most definitely. One of the USC players told me after the game, "You're a lot stronger than you look!" It really helps me out, because the defensive guys think they're going to knock me down, but then I don't even fall when I'm hit.
What goes through your mind when you break a big one like the 56-yard touchdown run in the 43-19 win against Washington?
I'm very determined not to let my teammates down. In the case of the Washington game, I really don't know exactly what I was thinking, except that the blocks were perfect, and I felt if I didn't do something with it, the offensive line would be mad at me. (Laughs). I had to score for them.
What do you like to do away from the gridiron?
I would have to say I like to bowl. I sometimes go to the movies. I also like to relax at home and play video games, particularly sports games. I play Madden all the time, and anyone who wants to challenge me can come on over!
Now that people know who you are, has it become harder to go places without being mobbed?
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No question. I tell my friends that it's very hard to go out in public at times. I go to a drive-thru, and after I slide my debit card, the cashier will say, "Awesome game! Can you sign the receipt?" So it really has changed a lot for me.
You're a sports business major. What do you plan on doing with that degree?
Actually, I'm thinking about changing my major. I kind of want to be a sports agent or a sports therapist. I really have no idea. (Laughs).
What kind of student are you?
I'd have to say I'm a great student, and I currently have a 3.2 GPA. I really take school seriously, because that's what comes first. Football isn't forever. Anything can happen there, such as an injury. That's why school is important to me, because education is the key in life nowadays.
Getting back to football, how far can this team go, not just this season but the next three while you're around?
We just have to keep our eye on the prize and we can go as far as we want. That depends on us and how hard we work, whether it's in practice or in the weight room during the summer. I think we have the talent on our team to get us where we need to go, so it just depends on us.
