There was a moment of confusion for running back Kenjon Barner during Oregon’s spring game.
“I’m kind of looking around like, ‘My partner isn’t here,’” Barner said.
Barner’s partner for the last few years was, of course, star Oregon running back LaMichael James. While James was tearing up defenses and setting UO records, including career rushing yards (5,082) and total touchdowns (58), Barner was a sidekick and backup to his close friend.
After his junior season, James declared for the NFL Draft and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round with the 61st overall pick. Now, after waiting in the wings for the past three years, Barner will be Oregon’s featured running back.
Barner barely played during the Oregon spring scrimmage, but by the end of the day, he had started to feel more comfortable without his partner.
“The opportunity to be the starter, it’s extremely exciting,” Barner said. “I can’t help but get excited about it.”
Barner, a 5-11, 195-pound senior from Riverside, Calif., has always been a very high quality backup.
He came to UO as a running back, then switched to defensive back during his first year at Oregon in 2008. The next year, Barner returned to tailback. In 2009, he rushed for 366 yards and three touchdowns on 61 carries.
Over the next two seasons, Barner’s reps began increasing … and so did his production. In 2010, he rushed 91 times for 551 yards and six touchdowns. Barner had his best season for the Ducks last year when he turned 152 carries into 939 yards and 11 scores.
He also has 34 receptions for 335 yards and five touchdowns — including a score in the Rose Bowl.
“Kenjon could be one of the best running backs in the Pac-12,” James said last year. “I always say that I got the break before him, but he’s a phenomenal player.”
Oregon enters the season without much depth at running back. That means it’s imperative that Barner, who has missed time with injuries in the past two seasons, stay healthy throughout the season.
“It’s just a matter of taking better care of my body,” Barner said.
Now that his opportunity has come, Barner is taking nothing for granted.
“I’ve still got a lot of work to do,” Barner said. “But I feel ready.”