In nearly every team sport, many coaches have declared that the single “greatest problem” with any one team is too much talent.
Oxymorons aside, this may be the case in 2006 for the Oregon Ducks at running back with three quality players pushing for time.
Obviously the main man is, and rightfully so, sophomore-to-be Jonathan Stewart. The 19-year-old man-child is poised for a breakout season in a starting role.
He led all Oregon running backs with six touchdowns last year, not including his two touchdowns via kickoff returns.
He’ll be the undeniable leader after the departure of Terrence Whitehead. Stewart, the top-rated running back out of high school in 2004-05, is stronger (benching more than 400 pounds), quicker, and smarter in terms of understanding the offense and the speed of the game at the collegiate level.
Yet, there’s not a considerable drop-off when Stewart comes off the field.
Jeremiah Johnson is a capable, proven backup. The 5-foot-9, 213-pound Johnson dropped his redshirt status in last season’s game at Stanford and proceeded to lead the Ducks in rushing with 63 yards on 11 carries.
He concluded the year averaging a stellar 6.1 yards per carry in limited action.
Bellotti firmly believes Johnson and Stewart could produce one of Oregon’s most effective backfield combinations in some time.
That’s quite a statement when you consider the Maurice Morris-Onterrio Smith duo in 2001. Those two each rushed for more than 1,000 yards in Oregon’s run to the 2002 Fiesta Bowl and now hold NFL roster spots.
But further down the line of running backs, behind Johnson and Stewart, is Oregon’s third stringer – the oft-forgotten Terrell Jackson.
He is, hands down, the best running back listed third on any depth chart in the country.
Need proof?
Jackson was rated as one of the top two running backs in California in 2003-04 and was ranked in the top 15 at his position in the nation.
He lacks the sheer size of Oregon’s other backs (5-foot-9, 190-pounds) and has yet to see significant playing time at Oregon, but he is easily the Ducks’ most elusive back.
He displayed that elusiveness in Oregon’s second spring scrimmage last Friday. Jackson rushed eight times for a team-high 25 yards, highlighted by a 14-yard scamper in which he made more than a few Oregon defensive starters look silly by grabbing for air.
He will certainly provide a different style from the other two running backs and a spark off the bench if given the opportunity to showcase his undeniable talent.
But therein lies the problem. Finding playing time for each player may prove a difficult task for Bellotti’s staff this season.
Then again, that’s probably the best problem he has to deal with in 2006-07.

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