Oregon Football: 5 reasons why Royce Freeman will win 2017 Heisman

4. Freeman will develop a better rapport with Justin Herbert

As a sophomore, part of Freeman’s emergence as one of the nation’s most dangerous backs was his improvement as a receiver. Working well with Vernon Adams Jr. in 2015, Royce Freeman averaged over 13 yards per catch. Developing as a valuable safety net out of the backfield, Freeman also proved adept at running wheel routes and caught multiple passes in all but three games.

He looked ready to break out in 2016 again as a receiver, catching two passes for 29 yards in addition to a season-high 209 rushing yards against Virginia in early September. Injuries limited his effectiveness, but as the year progressed Freeman developed a solid rapport with true freshman quarterback Justin Herbert.

The one downside was a dropoff in terms of yards per catch, as there were fewer wheel routes and more desperation dumpoffs. In the last three games of 2016, Freeman caught 14 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown in addition to posting three straight 100-yard rushing efforts. After a full spring and fall with co-offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo and the rest of the new offensive coaching staff, the duo should be even more confident working together.

Look for Freeman to post some big receiving marks this year. He could notch at least one 100-yard receiving effort as he becomes a more complete weapon from the backfield. He could easily top 500 receiving yards and get at least a half-dozen touchdown catches to go with similar rushing numbers as he put up in 2015.