Last year was the first time in a long time that there was true uncertainty for the Ducks at the running back position.

In fact, prior to last season, it had been 15 years since Oregon entered an upcoming season with a major question mark at running back, as the Ducks enjoyed a run of success at the position that spanned portions of four different head coaching tenures.

However, those questions eventually dissipated as the 2019 season progressed and a pair of freshmen supplanted projected starter and seasoned veteran Tony Brooks-James as the team’s carries leaders.

In their first seasons as contributors, CJ Verdell and Travis Dye combined to rush for 1,757 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging just over five yards per carry (5.14, to be exact). Verdell was particularly impressive, leading all Oregon rushers with 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also proving to be a weapon out of the backfield, ranking third on the team in receptions (27) and fourth in receiving yards (315).

Both players are expected to be the focal point of the Oregon rushing attack in 2019, as Verdell and Dye form what is arguably the best young running back tandem in the Pac-12. Beyond them, however, resides a quartet of young reserves who are no older than sophomores, begging the question, “Is there room for any other difference makers at running back?”

Provided both Verdell and Dye remain healthy, the answer to that question on the surface would seem to be, “No.” Though it may not be that simple.

Last season, in his first year of action, Cyrus Habibi-Likio established himself early as Oregon’s feature back in the goal line situations, racking up six of his seven touchdowns in Oregon’s first five games. Yet, that’s essentially where Habibi-Likio’s contributions would end, as the Bay Area native gained just 36 yards on 18 carries to close out his redshirt freshman year. An expanded role could be in store for Habibi-Likio this fall, however, after a strong spring campaign garnered the attention of head coach Mario Cristobal, who stated that the now redshirt sophomore “has earned the right to increase his role on this football team.” What that looks like given the anticipated number of available reps is anyone’s guess.

There’s also Darrian Felix to consider, who missed virtually all of last season with a foot injury that forced him to redshirt as a sophomore. As a true freshman in 2017, Felix was a player who offered glimmers of future hope in a post-Royce Freeman world with the limited carries he received. Though he would only gain 182 yards and a touchdown on 30 attempts, Felix flashed the kind of speed and quickness that offered belief that he could be, at worst, a competent change of pace back in a running back-by-committee situation. Expected to be fully healthy by the start of fall camp, a strong performance from Felix could be the single most impactful factor in terms of shaking up the running back depth chart in the build up to the season opener.

Then, of course, there’s the true freshman duo of Sean Dollars and Jayvaun Wilson, who each arrive in Eugene with high expectations considering their lofty billing coming from the high school ranks.

The spotlight on Dollars will be particularly bright, as the Mater Dei product was ranked as the nation’s no. 2 all-purpose back in the 2019 recruiting class per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings. How he is utilized in Oregon’s power-oriented offense this season, and in years to come, could offer valuable insight into how effectively this staff is able to adapt and tailor the offense to the diverse skill-sets of the personnel on that side of the ball.

Wilson, similar to Habibi-Likio, is a back with a bruiser’s reputation but is far more versatile than his 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame lets on. A knee injury curtailed his production as a high school senior last season, but if fully healthy, he could be one of the more intriguing members of Oregon’s stacked running back stable as the season unfolds.

Given the potential headliners topping the depth chart in Verdell and Dye, plus the deep pool of available options behind them, there’s little to worry about when it comes to Oregon’s running back room.

But considering the overflowing depth and the fact that so many players at the position are clustered together in terms of class, how opportunities are distributed by Cristobal and running backs coach Jim Mastro (and the impact that has) amongst a presumably healthy group will be one of the more fascinating storylines to watch this fall.