**Editor’s Note: This story first appeared in the Emerald’s “Gameday” edition, which was released on Aug. 27. Copies are available on stands throughout Eugene. 
As the Oregon football program’s high-octane offense took the nation by storm over the past 10 years, there was never a question as to who the faces of the program were.
With quarterback Dennis Dixon (’05-’07), running back LaMichael James (’09-’11), Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota (’13-’15) and head coach Chip Kelly (’07-’12) mixed in, these men’s smiling mugs were the face of Oregon on a national level.
Those four, among many others through the years, can be credited with the rebirth of Oregon athletics from a substandard Pac-12 school to a national title contender.
Dixon showed the nation that unreal athleticism and success could come from a West Coast school other than USC. James proved that a lack of size can be overcome by speed and strength while Mariota was the college football player every parent wanted their child to emulate.
All were different in their respective gifts, yet made similar by the uncommon trait of leadership and national-brandability.
Now, as the Ducks are set to fly for the upcoming 2015 season, one of the biggest questions looming over the program is who will take those reins. Which player will take on that role of leadership and help guide the Ducks to the promise land of the College Football Playoffs?
Of the obvious choices, the name that stands out most is defensive end DeForest Buckner. Widely considered a first-round pick in the upcoming draft, Buckner is as massive in size (6-foot-9, 290 pounds) as he is quiet in nature.
“DeForest Buckner is the ‘X’ factor who just wrecks shop and makes some plays,” Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich said. “DeFo has become a little bit more of a vocal leader than he’s been. When your best guy is one of your best practice players, that means a ton.”
Although he’s not well known by fan bases across the country, every offensive coordinator who faces Oregon this year knows Buckner’s capabilities. While there’s no doubt that Buckner could fill the role left behind by Mariota, it’s purely a short-term answer and the Ducks are left with the same question come February.
If given a choice to knight who would be Oregon’s newest national brand name, the answer is fairly simple. His jersey number is already for sale throughout every Duck Store in the state, but he couldn’t be more different from his predecessor.
Athletically speaking, Royce Freeman is everything Oregon should want as a representative of its program. He has the potential to win the Heisman Trophy and become a first-round draft pick in the NFL.
Those are points that Oregon can sell.
He was also Oregon’s offensive representative at the Pac-12 Media Days in Burbank, Calif., showing how much more personable and relatable he can be after his freshman campaign.
While Oregon football is in no danger of becoming a mediocre football program within the next year or two, the Ducks must continue to capitalize on the newfound glory of the past decade. To keep the money flowing and the top-notch recruits coming, Oregon must stay a national brand. With Freeman carrying that banner, there’s no doubt the Ducks will keep flying high.
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka