UO release – IRVING, Texas — Legendary Oregon football running back LaMichael James will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame after being announced as one of 22 members in the Class of 2023 on Monday by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame. James is among 18 former first-team all-Americans and four standout coaches included in the 2023 Class, which was selected from the national ballot of 80 players and nine coaches from the FBS level as well as 96 players and 33 coaches from the divisional ranks. “We are extremely proud to announce the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” said Archie Manning, NFF Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer from Mississippi. “Each of these men has established himself among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to immortalizing their incredible accomplishments.” The 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2023, at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. James becomes the sixth Oregon football player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame, joining quarterback Norm Van Brocklin (Class of 1966), running back John Kitzmiller (1969), tackle John Beckett (1972), running back Mel Renfro (1986) and running back Ahmad Rashad (Bobby Moore, 2007). Former Oregon coaches Len Casanova (1977) and Mike Bellotti (2014) are also Hall of Fame inductees. James led Oregon to national prominence during his three seasons in Eugene (2009-11), helping the Ducks win three straight Pac-12 titles and reach three consecutive BCS bowls, including the 2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship game. James capped his collegiate career with 159 yards and a touchdown in a 45-38 win over Wisconsin in the 2012 Rose Bowl. The first unanimous first-team all-American (2010) and consensus two-time all-American (2010 & 2011) in program history, James ranks second all-time at Oregon in career rushing yards (5,082), all-purpose yards (5,869), rushing touchdowns (53), 100-yard rushing games (26) and total points scored (348). He holds the program record with seven career 200-yard rushing performances, including five of more than 225 yards. James was a two-time first-team all-conference selection (2010 & 2011) and became just the third non-kicker since 1980 to lead the Pac-12 in scoring in back-to-back years. He is also one of just three players in conference history to rush for at least 1,700 yards in consecutive seasons. James claimed the Doak Walker Award in 2010 as the nation’s best running back and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after leading the nation in rushing yards (1,731), yards from scrimmage (1,939) and touchdowns (24). His 21 rushing touchdowns are tied for the UO single-season record, and his 144 points scored are the most ever in a season by a Duck. James led Oregon to its first-ever 12-win season, culminating in its first national championship game appearance. A native of Texarkana, Texas, James closed his career at Oregon with 1,805 rushing yards in 2011, second-most in UO single-season history. He averaged a UO record 7.31 yards per rush and erupted for a career-high 288 rushing yards in a win at Arizona, No. 2 in single-game program history. His 363 all-purpose yards in that game are a program record. James was a finalist for the 2011 Doak Walker Award and the Paul Hornung Award, which goes to the most versatile player in the nation.
