| Sources: GoDucks.com, 247Sports, SI Oregon (2025-2026)
Jordon Davison is the lead back entering the 2026 season. At 6-0, 236 pounds, he is built like a linebacker who decided to carry the football. As a true freshman in 2025, Davison and his backfield partner Dierre Hill Jr. combined for 1,323 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Davison handled the between-the-tackles workload while Hill provided the speed element. Now entering year two, Davison is expected to take on an even larger role as the primary ball carrier in Drew Mehringer's offense. The running back room lost three scholarship backs to the transfer portal after 2025 (Makhi Hughes to Houston, Jayden Limar to Washington, Jay Harris to Kansas State). Davison and Hill are not just the top options. They are the backbone of the ground game.
1,323
Combined Rush Yards
With Dierre Hill, 2025
15
Combined TDs
Davison + Hill, 2025
236
Weight (lbs)
6-0 frame
RB1
Role
Lead back entering 2026
1,323
Combined rushing yards as freshmen (Davison + Hill)
15 touchdowns. Two true freshmen carrying the load. The backfield of the future is already here.
thequackreport.com
Why He Matters
Oregon's offense under Dan Lanning has always been quarterback-driven, but the running game is what keeps defenses honest. Without a credible rushing threat, defensive coordinators can tee off on Dante Moore all day. Davison is that credible threat. At 236 pounds, he runs through arm tackles and finishes runs. He is not going to juke you in the open field. He is going to lower his shoulder and make you regret filling the hole. The combination of Moore's arm and Davison's power gives Mehringer the balance he needs to keep Big Ten defenses guessing.
What to Watch in Spring
Watch how many carries Davison gets with the first team and how the coaching staff uses him in short-yardage and red zone situations. The spring game will also show whether Mehringer uses Davison as a pass protector and checkdown option. At his size, he should be able to pick up blitzes. If Davison is staying in on third downs to block, it means the staff trusts him completely. That trust matters more than any highlight run.
2025 Freshman Season
As a true freshman in 2025, Davison and Dierre Hill combined for 1,323 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Davison handled the bulk of the early-down work, running between the tackles with a physicality unusual for a freshman. At 236 pounds, he was already bigger than most linebackers trying to tackle him. The staff trusted him in short yardage and in the red zone, two areas where freshmen almost never see the field. By the end of the season, Davison was not a "freshman running back." He was the running back. The 2026 season is about taking the leap from productive freshman to feature back.
What to Watch at the Spring Game
1
Red zone usage: if Davison gets the goal-line carries, he is the lead back. Period.
2
Pass protection: at 236 pounds, can he pick up blitzing linebackers? This earns third-down trust.
3
Patience in the hole: great backs wait for the block, then explode through. Watch his patience.
4
Catch-and-run: can Mehringer use him as a checkdown option? That opens up the passing game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. combined for 1,323 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns as true freshmen in 2025. Davison handled the between-the-tackles workload as the power back.
Yes. Davison is the lead back entering 2026. Oregon lost three scholarship running backs to the transfer portal (Hughes, Limar, Harris), making Davison and Hill the foundation of the run game.
Sources: GoDucks.com, 247Sports, SI Oregon (2025-2026). This page covers on-field performance and publicly available recruiting data only.