LaMichael James: Oregon Ducks' Stud RB Would Be Wise to Pass on NFL Draft

The Oregon Ducks' star running back LaMichael James has a huge decision regarding the NFL draft, but the elusive back would be a fool to pass up his final year up in Eugene.

James is coming off a solid outing against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2012 Rose Bowl, with 159 yards on the ground. Recording just one score, he failed to reach the end zone more than once however.

The Ducks outlasted the Badgers 45-38, and James would be going out a winner. Perhaps the itch for a BCS title, however, will be enough to keep James around one more year, especially after failing to capture the title against the Auburn Tigers in last year's championship game.

The main point that many will argue is that James would be best to declare for the draft after his season with injury issues. While that is a good reason, the 2010 Hesiman Trophy finalist can return and produce even bigger numbers in 2012.

The past season, he increased his total on the ground by 74 yards despite 47 less carries. James missed two-plus games the past season, so who knows how many more yards he could have added to his 1,805 total.

If healthy, he most likely would have surpassed the 2,000-yard mark.

Statistically, James was actually the second-best back in the FBS for the season, standing behind only the Badgers' Montee Ball. James averaged a ridiculous 7.3 yards per carry, putting him in the top 10.

It remains unclear if James will have enough going into this draft to be selected where many would believe he should.

Among potential RB draft prospects, James currently ranks eighth, standing behind players like Trent Richardson, Ball, Doug Martin and David Wilson. It would be unlikely for James to go undrafted considering his place amongst his peers, but he could potentially secure a much higher selection by returning for his senior year.

If James were to return for one more season with the Ducks, he can finally have a 2,000-yard season, and join some pretty nice company, including Barry Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson and Ricky Williams.

It would also make him only the 15th player to ever do so in college football history, as Ball fell short of the mark in the Rose Bowl.

James tore up the ground this season, especially in the four games he ran for over 200 yards. He also scored three times in three different games, but only scored 18 times and failed to pass the 21 TD mark hit in 2010.

Again, this is certainly a major decision on James' hands. When he looks back at his career, he will realize that there is still unfinished business.