Oregon Football: LaMichael James and the Ducks' 5 Most Important Players

The Oregon Ducks made it to the BCS National Championship Game last season because they were one of the best teams in the entire country...unlike their counterpart, Auburn, who had two of the best NFL prospects in the country.

Although the Ducks won as a team, everyone knows that Oregon would not have made it to the big game without certain key players.  As we transition to the 2011 season, many of those same difference makers are back while some have moved on.

Here is a list of the players who are most important to Oregon's success in 2011.

6. Josh Kaddu

Although the Ducks lost two outstanding linebackers after last season in Spencer Paysinger and Casey Matthews, they did retain a pretty good one.  Josh Kaddu is often forgotten about, but people will remember his name in 2011. 

Now he is the lead linebacker in Oregon’s rotation and will be counted on to continue to produce at a high level.  Kaddu has valuable experience that is critical as the Ducks embark on a long and difficult season.

5. Lavasier Tuinei

When Jeff Maehl and DJ Davis graduated, the Ducks got very young at receiver.  Tuinei is the lone Oregon receiver with starting experience and will be counted on to have a solid season in 2011. 

A shoulder injury limited him near the end of the season but he looked good during his stints in the national championship.  At 6’6” Tuinei is the tallest receiver Oregon has by several inches and will be used to stretch the field to let the young speedy receivers run underneath. 

With so many new receivers on the field, Darron Thomas will be looking to the familiar Tuinei often to make the clutch catches.

4. Mark Apser

Oregon will have three new starters on the offensive line for their season opener against LSU.  Mark Asper isn't one of those new guys.  The 2011 season will be Asper's third and final one starting on the Ducks offensive line. 

This season he will have to step up and become the leader of the group whose success will be crucial to the success of Oregon's offense as a whole.  If the offensive line is not a cohesive unit as it has been in years past, LaMichael James won't be able to have the same kind of success.

With that said Oregon's O-line is a well-coached group that should be ready when they strap on the pads in September.  The Ducks should not see a huge drop in production based on the new faces on the offensive line.

3. Cliff Harris

Cliff Harris makes this list for a different reason than he would have a few weeks ago.  Now that Harris won’t be playing in the Ducks season opener against LSU and possibly more, the focus changes. 

Oregon lacks experience at the cornerback position besides Harris and his presence will be greatly missed for however long he is out.  Although the group is inexperienced, they are talented and will be excited to get their opportunity on the field. 

The Ducks have plenty of people who can replace Harris at punt returner, but no one on their roster has the same cover skills.  Hopefully Harris will not be out more than a couple games and he can still put up the same type of monster numbers as he did last season.

2. LaMichael James

Of all of the gifted athletes on the Oregon football roster, none is more talented than LaMichael James.  He is arguably the fastest player on the team in addition to being one of the strongest despite his size. The 2010 season was a breakout one for James and, after being a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, he wants to put up even better numbers this year. 

Unfortunately for James, the Ducks’ depth at running back may prevent him from doing so.  Kenjon Barner, Lache Seastruck and DeAnthony Thomas all expect to get touches in relief of James. Look for the Ducks to feature multiple running backs on the field in 2011, which will give defenses nightmares. 

Regardless of the team's depth, James is a special talent and should have another spectacular season this year. 

1. Darron Thomas

Prior to the 2010 season Darron Thomas would have made this list for very different reasons.  What a difference a year makes. 

Thomas is now an unquestioned leader for the Ducks as he approaches his second season as the starring quarterback.  Last season he played very well but in 2011, Thomas will need to be great for Oregon to return to the national championship game. 

With new faces on the offensive line and at receiver, DT will need to be even sharper at executing Chip Kelly’s offense.  In Thomas’s second year as the starter, Oregon has the chance to become the first champions of the Pac-12.