Oregon Football: 5 incoming freshmen who could start in 2018

Say goodbye to Royce Freeman and hello to Jamal Elliott. No, there’s not going to be a seamless transition, but losing Freeman to graduation will be eased by the addition of the four-star running back from Durham, N.C.

Freeman is a bit of a monster compared to Elliott, size-wise, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing in at 230 pounds to the latter’s 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame. They are two completely different backs and that’s alright since the Ducks will be moving in a more speed-oriented direction.

Tony Brooks-James is the favorite to start in 2018, picking up 498 yards and two touchdowns on 5.4 yards per carry in 2017. Don’t sleep on sophomore Darrian Felix, though. He finished with 182 yards and a touchdown on 6.1 yards per touch as a freshman.

Elliott could contend for some starting snaps as well, especially as an early enrollee. He was listed as the No. 297 overall prospect and 12th-best running back in the class.