The Oregon Ducks had a seasoned Starter over the last four seasons in Royce Freeman. He pushed his way into the record books as the all-time leading rusher in school history in his final season. The team found their way to a National Championship game in his Freshman campaign but did not get back there in his final three seasons in an Oregon Uniform.
Freeman was the elder statesman of the Pac-12 in his final year. He was one of a few that had seen three Oregon Coaching Changes. If he had eligibility remaining, he would have seen a fourth this year with Mario Cristobal taking over the Head Coaching spot.