We here at The Weekly Fast Break are bouncing into 2025 with a new set of Nikes and a promise to do whatever it is we can do to help our team win. The great Pat Summitt said, “offense sells tickets; defense wins games; and rebounding wins championships.” It’s time we do not drop the ball on the […]
We here at The Weekly Fast Break are bouncing into 2025 with a new set of Nikes and a promise to do whatever it is we can do to help our team win. The great Pat Summitt said, “offense sells tickets; defense wins games; and rebounding wins championships.” It’s time we do not drop the ball on the first day of 2025 but value the possession because we are all in for a wild ride in the new year.
Idaho at Montana State
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No. 1 UCLA at Indiana
Tip-off
Bear crossing
No. 16 Kentucky at R/V Vanderbilt
You can always go home
No. 5 Texas at No. 9 Oklahoma
Arizona State head coach Natasha Adair took her team to the East Coast in December 2024 for quality games and hometown returns for four of her players. (Photo credit: Jay Biggerstaff | Imagn Images)
Colorado at No. 11 TCU
NDSU at St. Thomas (MN)
If you are looking for offense and a game played with serious pace, this one will be for you. Head coaches Vic Schaefer (Texas) and Jennie Baranczyk (OU) will each dial up a game plan to make this one of the season’s best games. Here are four keys to watch for that may very well determine who claims the one and only Red River Rivalry game in the 2024-25 season:
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No. 2 South Carolina at R/V Mississippi State
UNLV at San Jose State
Poll watch
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Star power
Head coach Natasha Adair served as an assistant coach at Georgetown from 1998-2004 and then returned to Washington, D.C., when she was named the head coach at Georgetown in 2016. She led the Hoyas’ program for three seasons. Junior guard Jalyn Brown, a Louisville transfer, hails from Baltimore and played high school basketball at Riverdale Baptist in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. Originally from Upper Marlboro, junior Kennedy Fauntleroy played at New Hope Academy in Maryland. She spent one season at Georgetown before transferring to ASU where she was unanimously named the 2023 Big East Freshman of the Year. Junior Kadidia Toure, a Silver Spring, MD native, started her career at James Madison before heading west to Tempe.
Gonzaga at R/V Portland
No. 3 Notre Dame at No. 17 UNC
Film session – Game preview
Every player, coach and fan will usher in the new year with their own set of resolutions — everything from being a better defender in the half court to spending less time listening to pundits tell us why we are not winning. But in the end, what we know to be true, regardless of your resolution to cheer louder or exercise every day, is that college basketball is destined to be that much better in 2025.
Pitt at No. 14 Duke
Sophomore Madison Booker and No. 5 Texas will play their first-ever SEC game in hostile but familiar territory as the Longhorns travel to No. 9 Oklahoma on Jan. 2. (Photo credit: Scott Wachter | Imagn Images)
Cleveland State at Oakland
Possessions: The Sooners want to play fast and get as many possessions as possible in 40 minutes. They will look for transition three-point shots (senior guards Payton Verhulst and Lexy Keys are their top threats) and will push in transition every chance they get. Texas knows they must be solid in their transition defense to contain OU in the open floor and once the ball crosses halfcourt, you must find shooters who are spotted up.
Post presence: OU has a post weapon it did not have last season — 6’4 junior Raegan Beers, the all-conference transfer from Oregon State. She is leading the Sooners in scoring (17.9 points per game) and rebounding (9.7 per game). Texas will need to create matchups that force her out of the paint and limit her touches. Look for Longhorn seniors Taylor Jones and Aaliyah Moore to attack Beers on both ends. The more time she spends on the bench in foul trouble the better it is for Texas.
Contain Booker: Sophomore sensation Madison Booker leads Texas at 16.3 points per game. With the return of Harmon at the point position, Booker is back to her natural off-guard spot. She is thriving with her mid-range game but has added a new weapon to her scoring arsenal — she has knocked down 13 threes so far this year. The Sooners will need to not only contain the 6’1 forward off the dribble but now you must honor the deep threat.
Turnover margin: Texas is forcing 25.4 turnovers per game on the year while Oklahoma has given it up 17.5 times per game. The defensive pressure from Texas will be relentless and physical for 40 minutes. The good news for OU is they have seen it before — Verhulst, Keys and point guard Nevaeh Tot are no strangers to the non-stop pressure that will come at them. Limiting the live ball turnovers will be critical for the Sooners — giving Texas runouts and points off turnovers is a recipe for disaster.
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Auburn at No. 6 LSU
Wisconsin at Oregon
While it may not happen often, there truly is no place like home. *Special thanks to Rob Knox of The Next
Jan. 2
It was a slow week before and after the Christmas holiday which has left the AP Poll in as quiet of a spot as it will be all season. The top 18 spots remain unchanged with UCLA cemented at No. 1 with their 13-0 record. Alabama rose one spot to No. 19 and Cal is up one as well to No. 20. Michigan State and Michigan each fell two spots but remain in the Top 25. Eight SEC teams dot this week’s poll with Vanderbilt receiving 26 votes. Utah garners 24 and is on the outside looking in at No. 27. Harvard (3 votes) and Portland (1 vote) represent the mid-majors this week as everyone hits the ground running in conference play.
Jan. 3
Southern Miss freshman guard Trinity Rowe earned Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week after she posted a career-high 25 points in the Golden Eagles’ conference-opening win over Georgia State on Dec. 29. The reigning 2024 Miss Kentucky Basketball and Pikeville, Kentucky, native drilled seven three-pointers, which tied for second on the all-time single-game records for Southern Miss women’s basketball. So far this season Rowe is shooting 43.9% from behind the arc, which ranks 27th nationally and leads the Sun Belt Conference.
Norfolk State at Delaware State
Sometimes in this crazy world of college basketball, we forget how hard it is to be away from home. When players get the opportunity to play close to home in front of family and friends, old teammates and coaches, it can be a very special experience. In early Dec. 2024, Arizona State traveled east for a pair of games at Coppin State (Dec. 5) and Maryland Eastern-Shore (Dec. 7), bringing four players and their head coach back to the Baltimore-Washington area where each has ties that run deep.
Jan. 5
Fairfield at Rider
Belmont at Southern Illinois
R/V Utah at Iowa State
Kansas at R/V Oklahoma State
Richmond at Fordham
Harvard at Yale
BYU at No. 18 West Virginia
No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 15 Tennessee
Jan. 6
Graduate student Tyi Skinner is originally from Washington D.C. and after starting her career at Delaware under Adair, she transferred to ASU. She missed last season due to an ACL injury and so her return to the court and the East Coast this season have been memorable. “I haven’t been home in a year after I tore my ACL last year because I had to stay in Arizona and recover. Going back home to my family, I noticed that many people hadn’t seen me in quite some time or others had never seen me play before. It’s a great experience and was special to see while feeling all the love and support from everybody,” she told The Next.
Florida at No. 19 Alabama
No. 20 Cal at Clemson
No. 6 LSU at Arkansas
Air Force at Boise State
No. 2 South Carolina at Missouri
R/V Illinois at Minnesota
For the fourth time this season, Georgia Tech guard Dani Carnegie was named ACC Rookie of the Week. The freshman guard had 24 points, including four 3-pointers, along with five rebounds and two steals in Georgia Tech’s 100-61 domination of Pitt on Dec. 29. The Mount Vernon, New York, posted her fourth game this season with 20 or more points, including her last two outings. Carnegie currently leads all ACC freshmen in scoring at 15.1 points per game.
South Dakota State at Oral Roberts
With game action on the light side the past 10 days, we decided to steer our analysis not at the result, but to preview what lies ahead. On Thursday, Jan. 2, the newest members of the SEC will square off in their first game in a new conference, but they are by no means strangers. No. 5 Texas will travel to Norman, Okla., to take on the No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners, keeping the Red River Rivalry alive this season. This will be the only meeting between the two teams this year and it has all the storylines for a monster SEC opener. Oklahoma won both matchups in their final season in the Big 12 last season. The Sooners claimed the regular season title (clinching it with that 71-70 win over the Longhorns on Feb. 28) while Texas won the 2024 Big 12 Tournament crown in Kansas City, Missouri, defeating Iowa State in the final.
These long-standing rivals seem to have more in common this season than what sets them apart. Both teams have just one loss (ironically each to an ACC team) and are averaging 91.6 points per game. Both rosters are a mixture of veteran returners and new faces from the portal, along with standout freshmen who are getting quality minutes on the floor. Each team welcomed back key players who missed last season due to injury — guard Rori Harmon of Texas and forward Liz Scott for OU.
No. 23 Iowa at Penn State
Stony Brook at Drexel
Liberty at Middle Tennessee
No. 20 Cal has matched its best start since the 2016-17 season at 13-1 and is riding a seven-game winning streak into the heart of ACC play. The only blemish on the Bears’ record is a six-point loss to now No. 21 Michigan State back on Nov. 26 in Palm Springs, California, and since then they have beat No. 19 Alabama and ACC foe Stanford 83-63. Cal is averaging 78.3 points per game on the back of a three-point shooting system that is proving to work. Head coach Charmin Smith’s team is top 10 in the nation at 38.6% from deep and ranks fifth nationally with 10.5 made threes per game. Two of the top three-point shooters in the country are leading the way for Cal — guards Lulu Twidale and Ioanna Krimili — both of whom are top 10 in the country in total three-point shots made on the season. Krimili, a graduate student originally from Greece, ranks eighth nationally with 3.36 makes per game from behind the arc. In their 13 victories, the Bears have beaten opponents by a margin of 19.1 points per game this season. They resume ACC play on Jan. 2 at Clemson — the Tigers may want to put up some Bear-crossing signs this week.
Jan. 7
Many of you have set forth a resolution in 2025 to exercise more and eat healthier. This is a goal we absolutely support and are trying our best to do as well. However, if there is one thing we do know, most of the human population has the same thought and many of them will be at your local health club or community center this week. The crowds will be insane and there will not be an open treadmill in sight. So here is our solution — start your resolution plan next week, and spend the next few days eating and drinking what you want while you watch some top-shelf basketball (check your local listings for game times and broadcast availability):
No. 11 TCU at Kansas
Murray State at Missouri State
UCF at No. 18 West Virginia
Lindenwood at Eastern Illinois
Jan. 1
Texas Tech at No. 12 Kansas State
No. 7 UConn at Marquette
This week, triple-double star power is fully directed at South Bend, Ind. Point guard Olivia Miles was named ACC Player of the Week after a historic performance in Notre Dame’s win over Virginia on Dec. 29. Miles’ triple-double of 11 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists was her third triple-double of the season and sixth of her career. The 5’10 junior is now tied with former Maryland All-American Alyssa Thomas for most career triple-doubles in ACC history. Miles is also the first-ever ACC player to notch back-to-back triple-doubles after she posted 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against Loyola Maryland on Dec. 22. This is the second ACC weekly award for Miles this season.
SIUE at Eastern Illinois
No. 1 UCLA at Purdue
Jan. 4
*All statistics cited in this column are sourced from university and conference-provided statistics
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Ranking the top eight Big Ten football NIL valuations for 2025
Being able to compensate college athletes over the last few years has changed the landscape of college sports, most notably the revenue behemoth that is college football. Name, Image and Likeness has helped usher in a new era of bidding wars and recruiting efforts that didn’t exist just less than a decade ago. And now, […]
Being able to compensate college athletes over the last few years has changed the landscape of college sports, most notably the revenue behemoth that is college football. Name, Image and Likeness has helped usher in a new era of bidding wars and recruiting efforts that didn’t exist just less than a decade ago. And now, with the House Settlement, things will change even more.
Especially at a place like Ohio State that has a huge athletic department and a massive budget.
But NIL is still in practice, and there are still athletes getting paid for the usage of their name, so it’s a big deal. We always hear about the astronomical figures the top-end stars are pulling in, but there are smaller ones as well. However, the multi-million dollar contracts aren’t as prevalent as one would think. In fact, we’re ranking the top Big Ten NIL valuations, and there are fewer than ten that make the list worth mentioning.
Here’s a list of the top eight NIL valuations according to On3 in the Big Ten, ranked from least to most expensive. You may be surprised by what and who is on this list., and of course, the bigger programs with the most money like Ohio State appear on this list more than some that do not at all.
Stewart had a great year last season, but played second fiddle to Tez Johnson in star power. This year, it should be him as the No. 1 threat and player personality many will follow.
NIL Valuation | $1.8 Million
National Rank – No. 21
Singleton is entering his senior year and is part of a running back tandem that should be very dangerous this season. He’s a star running back for Penn State, and that alone garners attention and a pretty significant NIL package.
No. 6 – Nico Iamaleava, Quarterback | UCLA Bruins
NIL Valuation | $2 Million
National Rank – No. 19
Nico is well-known after having a fantastic season last year with Tennessee. He is one of the most recognizable quarterbacks with all the potential he possesses with his dual-threat ability, and now he’ll be doing his work out in Westwood for UCLA.
NIL Valuation | $2.3 Million
National Rank – No. 17
Raiola’s commitment was highly publicized. He first committed to Ohio State, then Georgia, before finally landing at Nebraska, where he had family ties. He had a very impressive, though a bit inconsistent freshman campaign and should be poised for a continuation and further breakout in 2025.
No. 4 – Caleb Downs, Safety | Ohio State Buckeyes
NIL Valuation | $2.4 Million
National Rank – No. 15
Downs came to Ohio State via the transfer portal after becoming a freshman All-American at Alabama. He had a stellar sophomore campaign in Columbus and is a fan favorite. He might be the best defender in all of college football, playing for arguably the most-followed college football program. That all translates to a massive NIL package.
There is a ton of hype for the No. 1 quarterback coming out of high school, and Michigan is hoping he makes good on all of it. There was a lot of buzz surrounding his recruitment, and he has many folks following what he might do at the college level, even though he has yet to do anything in Ann Arbor.
No. 2 – Drew Allar, Quarterback | Penn State Nittany Lions
NIL Valuation | $3.1 Million
National Rank – No. 8
Allar was a five-star quarterback coming out of Ohio before committing to play for Penn State. Though he has yet to win the biggest of games, he has a big arm and is the face of the Nittany Lions’ chances at not only making the College Football Playoff, but going on a run to a national championship.
Everyone knows Smith. He was an absolute star who flashed on the scene for Ohio State as a freshman after being ranked as the top overall recruit in the 2024 class. He more than made good on all that buzz and is arguably the best player in college football returning for two more seasons, still in Columbus. He is adored in Central Ohio and feared across the rest of the country.
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Notre Dame misses out on top women’s college basketball recruit
The Fighting Irish are on the lookout for fresh talent to help keep them on an upwards trajectory under Niele Ivey, but have suffered a blow after losing out on one top star 15:25 ET, 22 Jun 2025Updated 15:27 ET, 22 Jun 2025 Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Niele Ivey has suffered a blow […]
The Fighting Irish are on the lookout for fresh talent to help keep them on an upwards trajectory under Niele Ivey, but have suffered a blow after losing out on one top star
15:25 ET, 22 Jun 2025Updated 15:27 ET, 22 Jun 2025
Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Niele Ivey has suffered a blow in recruitment for her 2026 class
Notre Dame women’s basketball has suffered a major setback in its recruitment for its 2026 class after missing out on elite prospect Savvy Swords.
The Fighting Irish are keen to continue adding to their squad in years to come as part of efforts to land them a first national championship since 2018, yet head coach Niele Ivey and co. will have to do so without the 5-star wing after she committed to Kentucky on Saturday.
It comes as Notre Dame added a fifth player to combat the departure of Olivia Miles after Kelly Ratigan decided to join via the transfer portal last month. The Fighting Irish had already acquired the services of Gisela Sanchez, Malaya Cowles, and Vanessa de Jesus, and more could still follow.
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With regards to next year’s roster, however, Notre Dame will have to keep searching for the next best thing after losing out on the services of Swords, who also had offers from South Carolina, UCLA and Michigan, according to On3.
The 6-foot-1 star from Brookville (NY) Long Island Luthera is currently ranked No. 9 in On3’s top 2026 recruits in the nation, perhaps most notably averaging 16.3 points and six rebounds per game for Canada at last year’s U17 FIBA World Cup.
Swords achieved those stats while shooting 50 per cent from deep and 88 per cent from the free throw line, highlighting her versatility and strong ability to shoot from deep and rebound the ball at a high level.
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The teenager is the younger sister of current Michigan women’s basketball player Syla Swords, who earned freshman All-American and All-Big Ten honors in 2025. The 19-year-old is also a member of the Canadian national team and was an Olympian in 2024.
Swords took to Instagram on Saturday to announce her commitment to Kentucky, uploading a series of images from her signing shoot alongside the caption: “Big blue business. Let’s workk #committed.”
Her older sister, Syla, commented “so proud” followed by four love heart emojis, while premier point guard Maddyn Greenway, who was Kentucky’s first commitment in the 2026 class, wrote: “TEAMMIEEE.”
Notre Dame has already obtained the commitment of four-star college basketball prospect Bella Ragone to its 2026 class, who announced her decision with a TikTok video last month.
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In Ragone, the Fighting Irish have landed themselves a top-25 2026 wing, beating over 35 schools including Iowa, UCLA, and UNC to her signature. The 6-foot-2 wing from Georgia became the first commit in Notre Dame’s 2026 class.
Ranked No. 25 overall in the ESPNW 2026 rankings, Ragone used her brand of humor to announce her commitment, posting a short skit joking about telling a boy she’d be playing in Indiana. When he guessed Purdue, the clip cut to Ragone in a Notre Dame No. 5 jersey, flashing the camera with a smile and the caption, “Holy Airball.”
On Instagram, she reposted the announcement with a simple “Go Irish,” followed by clovers and her social media exploded with congratulatory messages from coaches, teammates, national recruits, and some of the most influential names in the game on her level.
Colorado’s NIL Director Explains Why Mothers Can’t Be Agents, Despite Exceptions Like Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels
In today’s NFL, family often plays a big role in a player’s inner circle, especially mom. Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels have both shown this by employing their mothers as their agents, proving that, despite what some may say, moms can negotiate contract deals and become certified agents. For Jackson, his mother, Felicia Jones, acts […]
In today’s NFL, family often plays a big role in a player’s inner circle, especially mom. Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels have both shown this by employing their mothers as their agents, proving that, despite what some may say, moms can negotiate contract deals and become certified agents.
For Jackson, his mother, Felicia Jones, acts as his manager without NFLPA agent certification. Meanwhile, Jayden’s mother, Regina Jackson, holds her NFLPA certification and also has a dual master’s degree in hospital administration and entrepreneurial business.
That’s why, when the University of Colorado’s NIL director, Reggie Calhoun Jr., made this comment about mothers acting as agents, it caught us a bit off guard.
“Mom’s job is not to negotiate your deal. She doesn’t have that skill set. Mom has never negotiated a deal in her life. Her job is bookkeeping. Mom has always been good at keeping books. Let that be Mom’s job. Your agent is doing sales,” Calhoun shared via The Business of Athletes.
They’re puzzling remarks coming from Calhoun. A bit of basic research shows he never made it past the college level, so should he really be advising players on something he has little experience with?
As mentioned, Lamar has no agent. His mother, Felicia, serves as his business manager. And just to rub it in the face of Calhoun, she even negotiated her QB son’s massive 5-year, $260 million extension in 2023. So, what is the Colorado director even talking about?
Furthermore, Jayden’s mom, Regina, is a certified NFLPA agent. It’s something she worked hard toward becoming, going back to when he was at LSU. Now, she’s been spotted on several occasions by Jayden’s side as his mentor, seemingly keeping the star QB out of trouble.
All in all, Calhoun’s opinions on mothers being agents fall apart when you examine the landscape of today’s NFL. Lamar and Jayden are not the only ones to ever have their mothers represent them as agents. Odell Beckham, Jaylon Jones, and Preston Brown are all current and former players who opted to do the same.
Additionally, studies show that players in the 18-21 range are using their parents more than ever for representation. The trend may even continue to grow, as NIL rules become more stringent.
But through very different models, both Lamar and Jayden have shown us that it’s possible to be an elite NFL quarterback while having a mother as an agent. Certified or not, it can work both ways.
Top 2026 prospect Savvy Swords commits to Kentucky
Top 2026 prospect Savvy Swords has committed to Kentucky, she announced on Saturday evening. Swords, a 6-1 wing from Brookville (NY) Long Island Lutheran chose the Wildcats over UCLA, South Carolina, Michigan and Notre Dame. Swords is the younger sister of current Michigan women’s basketball player Syla Swords. Savvy is ranked No. 9 in On3’s […]
Top 2026 prospect Savvy Swords has committed to Kentucky, she announced on Saturday evening. Swords, a 6-1 wing from Brookville (NY)Long Island Lutheran chose the Wildcats over UCLA, South Carolina, Michigan and Notre Dame.
Swords is the younger sister of current Michigan women’s basketball player Syla Swords. Savvy is ranked No. 9 in On3’s recent update of the top 2026 recruits in the nation. She’s a versatile threat who has a strong ability to shoot from deep and rebound the ball at a high level.
Last year for the U17 FIBA World Cup Canadian National Team, she averaged 16.3 points and six rebounds per game while shooting 50% from deep and 88% from the free throw line.
Swords is Kentucky’s second commitment in the 2026 class, as they’ve also landed premier point guard Maddyn Greenway.
“In high school, I’m very much scoring at all three levels and playmaking,” Greenway told On3 in a previous interview. “I’m undersized, so I utilize my speed a lot and play at a fast pace. I thrive in transition. When I play at EYBL, I play more of a true point guard role and passing first.”
The Wildcats are still in on some of the top recruits in the nation, including Olivia Vukosa, Mimi Thiero and Emily McDonald.
Predicting ratings of Clemson football’s top 5 players in College Football 26
Between Cade Klubnik and Peter Woods, the pick for the highest-rated Tiger wasn’t an easy one. I opted to go with Woods because many consider him the best defensive lineman in college football and the projected No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Which is a fair assessment of the superstar on the […]
Between Cade Klubnik and Peter Woods, the pick for the highest-rated Tiger wasn’t an easy one. I opted to go with Woods because many consider him the best defensive lineman in college football and the projected No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Which is a fair assessment of the superstar on the defensive line.
Woods may not have the defensive numbers that TJ Parker did during the 2024 season but that’s because it’s much more difficult to put up gaudy numbers as a defensive tackle compared to an edge rusher. He still managed to finish with 28 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks to go along with a forced fumble. He’s considered one of the most dominant players in the country.
Entering his junior season, Woods is probably the best defensive lineman in the sport and he should be treated as such via the College Football 26 ratings.
Why Oregon Ducks Dan Lanning Recruited Running Back Makhi Hughes From Transfer Portal
The Oregon Ducks are looking to pick up where they left off following the 2024 season, and part of the Ducks’ rebuild involved acquiring running back Makhi Hughes through the NCAA Transfer Portal. Hughes transferred from the Tulane Green Wave, which was a major pick-up for the Ducks. Hughes committed to the Oregon Ducks on […]
The Oregon Ducks are looking to pick up where they left off following the 2024 season, and part of the Ducks’ rebuild involved acquiring running back Makhi Hughes through the NCAA Transfer Portal. Hughes transferred from the Tulane Green Wave, which was a major pick-up for the Ducks.
Hughes committed to the Oregon Ducks on Jan. 7 as the No. 1 running back and the No. 12 player in the portal, per On3’s transfer portal rankings. Ducks coach Dan Lanning appeared on “Always College Football,” discussing with ESPN’s Greg McElroy why Oregon targeted Hughes.
“Ultimately, the goal for us is, again, to make sure we have enough guys that can play a winning level of football,” Lanning explained. “And there’s a kind of number that we really want in that running back room, and felt we had an opportunity to get a good player in Makhi.”
Dec 31, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning during the Rose Bowl head coaches press conference at Sheraton Grand LA. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
“There’s several guys in that room that I think can make an impact, but we’re ultimately looking for guys that fit us,” Lanning said.
In 2024, the Ducks’ leading rusher was running back Jordan James, who was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Lanning and the Ducks built a deep running back room and are on pace to be elite and competitive when utilizing the ground game. In addition to Hughes, the Ducks will have running backs Noah Whittington, Jordon Davison, Jay Harris, and more on the roster.
Whittington had 540 rushing yards and six touchdowns last season. Davison is an incoming four-star recruit who has high potential. In year one, Davison will not have to carry too much pressure as a freshman and can develop with the other running backs on the roster.
“The one piece about Makhi is he’s one that’s always falling forward. When there’s yards to be had, he’s going to make sure he’s falling forward,” Lanning continued.
Nov 16, 2024; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Tulane Green Wave running back Makhi Hughes (21) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
When the running back room is as deep and talented as Oregon’s currently is, there is room for the offense to open up on all levels. Hughes and Whittington could become a strong duo, adding competition to bring out the best of each other. During the season, having two solid running backs will keep the run game energized each week.
Hughes played two seasons with Tulane, rushing for over 1,000 yards each year. Hughes is coming off a 2024 season where he rushed for 1,401 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had 176 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Hughes had seven games where he rushed for over 100 yards.
Oregon still has room to improve when running the ball. The team averaged 157.93 rushing yards per game, ranking No. 72 in the nation for rushing offense.
Oct 28, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tulane Green Wave running back Makhi Hughes (21) stiff arms Rice Owls safety Gabriel Taylor (26) in the first half at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
By bringing in Hughes and having a deep running back room, Lanning and the Ducks can ensure they have the talent that fits what the team needs in 2025. Lanning expressed his excitement for what Hughes brings to the team and he will be a player to watch this season.
While Oregon lost several players following the season, the Ducks brought in numerous players to boost the offense next season. In addition to Hughes, Oregon acquired offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, wide receiver Malik Benson, offensive tackle Isaiah World, and tight end Jamari Johnson through the portal.
