Oregon Ducks

Is Oregon's most important player RB Royce Freeman?

Published Jul. 21, 2015 2:54 p.m. ET

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Oregon's offensive success over the past decade has always been predicated on the ability to run the ball effectively in any given situation. Due to this, it should come as no surprise that sophomore running back Royce Freeman has to be considered Oregon's most important player heading into the 2015 season.

ESPN's Kevin Gemmell recently named Freeman as Oregon's most important player this season and his explanation is interesting. First, Gemmell clarified that the "most important" player on a team is not necessarily the "best" and that his selection was done with considering quarterbacks.

With those benchmarks set in place, here is why Gemmell chose Freeman as Oregon's most important player:

"On the surface, this seems like a "duh" selection. And it is, because, duh.

With 15 "official" starters returning from a team that advanced to the national championship game last season, picking one that stands out seems arbitrary. But there is nothing arbitrary about Freeman's selection. What do you think of when you think of Oregon? Fine, after all of the uniform combinations. You think of offense. And specifically, the ground game. Over the past five seasons, only Georgia Tech, Navy and Army have produced more yards on the ground than the Ducks.

It remains the magic bullet of football. You have to be able to run. And few teams have done it as well as Oregon. A great running back opens up the play-action (sort of a big deal in Oregon's attack), he frees up the quarterback to run (also a must in Oregon's attack) and, frankly, there is nothing more demoralizing to a defense than to continually give up 5 and 6 yards on the ground per play.

The Ducks have plenty of playmakers on offense. But if Freeman is clicking, it takes a huge amount of pressure off of the quarterback-to-be and it allows for more creativity in the passing game. Think of all the crazy ways the coaching staff can use Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner if Freeman is at the top of his game.

At 5-11, 230 pounds, he's a bulldozer who can wear down defenses. But he's quick enough to make defenders miss. And if the Ducks hope to return to the playoffs, chances are it will be on the strength of Freeman's legs."

(h/t ESPN)

Photo Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports