Bucky Irving ranked among ESPN’s top 10 running backs in 2023
When Minnesota running back Bucky Irving announced he was transferring to Oregon, it didn’t receive much fanfare.
Perhaps it should have.
Irving proved to be the tailback the Oregon Ducks needed in Dan Lanning’s first season in Eugene and now he’s finally getting some much-deserved recognition from the national media types.
According to ESPN, Irving is one of the top running backs in the country as the 2023 season quickly approaches. Irving gained just over 1,000 yards in his first season in Eugene and there’s no reason not to think he’ll spit out a similar year, if not better.
Irving, coupled with fellow transfer Noah Whittington, is half of what is most likely the best 1-2 punch coming out of the backfield in the Pac-12. The Golden Gophers’ loss has certainly been the Ducks’ gain.
Here is how Irving stacks up with the other top running backs in the nation.
Blake Corum - Michigan
Kirthmon F. Dozier-USA TODAY Sports
2022 Stats: 1,463 rushing yards, 18 TD, 80 receiving yards
Quinshon Judkins - Ole Miss
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
2022 Stats: 1,567 rushing yards, 17 total TD
Raheim Sanders - Arkansas
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 1,443 rushing yards, 12 total TD
Nicholas Singleton - Penn State
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 1,061 rushing yards, 13 total TD
Donavan Edwards - Michigan
Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic
2022 stats: 991 rushing yards, 9 total TD
Braelon Allen - Wisconsin
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 1,242 rushing yards, 11 TD
Bucky Irving - Oregon
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 1,058 rushing yards, 8 total TD
One of Oregon’s great transfer portal finds ended up being Irving, and the Ducks needed him after playing their first season since 2017 without CJ Verdell or Travis Dye in the backfield. Despite committing to Minnesota out of high school (he didn’t play his senior year during the 2020 COVID-19 season) and spending his freshman season with the Gophers, he transferred to Oregon, expecting that a more creative offense would better suit his game. – ESPN
Will Shipley - Clemson
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
2022 stats: 1,182 rushing yards, 15 TD
Trey Benson - Florida State
Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK
2022 stats: 990 rushing yards, 9 TD
Frank Gore, Jr. - Southern Mississippi
Robert McDuffie-USA TODAY Sports
2022 stats: 1,382 rushing yards, 9 TD
