Oregon Ducks Football: 5 Reasons Why LaMichael James Won't Win the Heisman

LaMichael James finished atop the nation in rushing yards last year with 1,731 yards and added 21 touchdowns. James won the Doak Walker award and garnered serious Heisman consideration, eventually finishing third behind Andrew Luck and winner Cam Newton. James came back for his junior season and is the favorite to win the Heisman after predictions by many analysts including Kirk Herbstreit. However, James won't win the coveted Heisman trophy for four main reasons.

James Has Key Reserves to Spell Him

The Ducks have the most talented group of running backs in the nation with James and some key reserves. Kenjon Barner would be a starter on a lot of other teams and is the most heralded backup in the nation. Barner was injured part of last year, putting more of the workload on James. 

De'Anthony Thomas is a 5-star recruit from Crenshaw High School who is one of the highest rated players the Ducks have ever signed. Thomas has wowed many in practice while being described as electric. 

Tra Carson is another freshman who could contribute for the Ducks right away. Carson could fill the role of "power back" for the Ducks and figures to get some carries in short yardage situations and around the goal line, thus taking away potential touchdowns from LaMichael James.

Oregon Is Going to Pass More

Darron Thomas will take a bigger role in his second year starting at quarterback. Chip Kelly has said one thing he would change about the national championship is to let Darron pass more. This year, although there are questions at the receiver spot, Thomas should take more control of the Ducks offense.

James Won't Finish with as Many Yards as He Did Last Year

LaMichael James had 294 carries last year and was clearly tired at the tail end of the season. With his small 5'9" frame, James took a lot of hits that beat up his body. James didn't have a competent backup and had to shoulder most of the burden for the Ducks running game. James will have less carries than last year and in turn have less yards. 

James Isn't Adept at Catching the Ball

James lack of skill in receiving will hurt opportunities for him to be in during third downs and catch the ball out of the backfield. Kenjon Barner is much more efficient in the passing game and will be in whenever the Ducks want to throw the ball to a running back.

The Majority of Heisman Winners Are Quarterbacks

Since the year 2000, only one running back has won the Heisman Trophy (Mark Ingram, Alabama, 2009).

The other nine have been quarterbacks and since football is a quarterback driven sport, that statistic won't stop.

LaMichael will have serious competition from Stanford's Andrew Luck, Boise State's Kellen Moore, Baylor's Robert Griffin III and Oklahoma's Landry Jones.