University of Oregon running back LaMichael James has filed paperwork with the National Football League with intentions of entering the 2012 NFL Draft with, the athletic department announced Friday afternoon.
James will go down in the history books as the greatest running back ever to put on an Oregon uniform, and the 5-foot-9, 195-pound junior said the decision to leave his teammates was certainly not an easy one.
”My experience at the University of Oregon has been one unlike any other, and one I will never forget,” James said in press release. “I am grateful for the people I have met, the things I have learned, and the amazing community I have had the privilege of being a part of over the last three-and-a-half years. The community of Eugene welcomed me with open arms and has supported me since the day I arrived. I am lucky to have been a part of such an amazing place. I can truly say Eugene is my home away from home and a place I will always hold in high regards.
“As for my coaches and teammates — they are my family. I love each and every one of them and am eternally grateful for having each of them be a part of my life,” James said. “It has been both an honor and a privilege to be a part of something as great as the UO family.”
The release also said that James has yet to hire an agent, but would likely do so in the near future.
Oregon coach Chip Kelly said he is, “100 percent behind LaMichael” with this decision.
“He is a very special person and certainly will be remembered as one of the very best players ever to wear a uniform at the University of Oregon,” Kelly said in the same press release. “It has been a pleasure to coach him for the four seasons he has been here and is comforting to know that he will obtain his degree this spring. I could not have asked anymore from him and I am confident he will be a success at the next level.”
James becomes the eighth Oregon player to forego a final season of eligibility for early entry into the NFL Draft as well as the school’s third running back, joining Onterrio Smith (2003) and Jonathan Stewart (2008).
James will address the media at 4 p.m. this afternoon regarding his decision.
James bio/awards from the press release:
The 22-year-old two-time first-team all-conference choice (2010, 2011) and Oregon’s first three-time 1,000-yard rusher shared team Most-Outstanding-Player honors in 2009 and 2010 while eclipsing the majority of the school’s rushing and scoring records. He also became the first player in conference history to run for more than 1,500 yards in each of three seasons.
Among the Oregon records now owned by James are most points scored in a single season (144, 2010) and career (348, 2009-11); most touchdowns – season (24, 2010), career (58, 2009-11); most rushing attempts – season (294, 2010); most rushing yards – game (288 at Arizona, 9-24-11), season (1,805, 2011), career (5,082, 2009-11); most all-purpose yards – game (363 at Arizona, 9-24-11), career (5,869, 2009-11); most 100-yard rushing games – season (9, 2009, 2010), career (26, 2009-11); and most 200-yard rushing games – season (4, 2011), career (7, 2009-11).