Royce Freeman Announces He Will Return to Oregon: Latest Comments, Reaction

Oregon running back Royce Freeman announced Wednesday he will return to Oregon for his senior season in a program release: 

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After consulting with my family and giving this considerable thought, I feel this is the best decision for me in regards to my future on and off the field. My education was one of the most important reasons I chose to come to Oregon and that priority hasn't changed.

I wish to thank Coach (Mark) Helfrich and the entire coaching staff for the roles they have played in my success thus far. I am extremely grateful to Coach (Gary) Campbell for everything he has taught me and the influence he has had in my life over the last three years.

However, the prospect of playing for Coach (Willie) Taggart my final year here was certainly a factor in my return. His enthusiasm and vision for this program are contagious. I am excited to be coached by him and to enhance my development.

All praise to the most high; and Go Ducks.

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Despite Oregon's struggles this year, Freeman had a solid junior campaign, rushing for 945 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He also caught 23 passes for 144 yards and a score.

Freeman failed to rush for more than 1,000 yards for the first time in his collegiate career, as Tony Brooks-James was also heavily utilized at running back this season and Freeman battled through injuries. Nevertheless, he came into the season already established as a dangerous weapon at the position.

That made his leaving for the draft a real possibility; however, several factors may have led to his decision to remain with the Ducks.

For one, this year's draft is loaded with star power at running back, with Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook and Christian McCaffrey all locks to be first-round picks. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, meanwhile, ranked Freeman seventh among all running backs when he released his big board in early November.

That made Freeman likely a second-day pick. And the scouting reports on him were mixed.

Rob Rang of CBSSports.com felt NFL teams should have plenty of interest in Freeman, as he told Andrew Greif of The Oregonian:

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I just think with Royce Freeman we're talking about a very talented running back who unfortunately is not surrounded by as much talent as he once was, and so his statistics are down. But NFL teams will still see he has the skills that they're looking for.

One injury-plagued season is not going to significantly drop stock with scouts. I still think McCaffrey is very much in that first-round conversation and I think that Royce Freeman also is in the first-round conversation. He may slip to the second round but they certainly will be day two picks and that's why I do expect McCaffrey and Freeman to both leave early.

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Rang's colleague Dane Brugler thought teams would be split on Freeman, however.

"I don't think there will be a consensus on Freeman among NFL scouts—some will see his balance and vision and think that will translate to a productive NFL back, but others will focus on the lack of explosive traits and worry that will limit his NFL ceiling," he told Greif.

Returning to school gives Freeman both the opportunity to pad his stats and work on his weaknesses while also entering the league in a 2018 draft class that will likely be less deep at running back. If he posts the sort of numbers he did as a sophomore, when he rushed for more than 1,800 yards, Freeman could accomplish a few goals.

For one, he'll improve his draft stock. He could be in the running for the Heisman, too. And he may help lead Oregon back to prominence after a disappointing 4-8 season. For those reasons, returning to Oregon for one more year was an easy decision to make.

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