Oregon RB Bucky Irving had two incredibly productive seasons to close out his college career.
Before Irving hears his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft, let’s go back through his history and examine his path to the league.
Where Did Bucky Irving’s Football Career Start?
Irving played high school football at Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, Ill.
Over the course of three years, Irving accrued 3,264 rushing yards. Irving only played three years at high school, as his senior year included the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
A four-star recruit, Irving received a whopping 24 offers from Division I programs, and all of them came from FBS schools. He ultimately chose to enroll at Minnesota.
Revisiting Irving’s College Career
Minnesota
Irving did not redshirt his freshman year, getting involved right away. The Golden Gophers utilized a three-man backfield, with Irving right smack in the middle.
As a freshman, Irving carried the ball 133 times for 699 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games. It was a good start, but after the year concluded, Irving was looking for a change. As a result, he transferred to Oregon.
MORE: Top RBs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Oregon
In his sophomore year in 2022, Irving was again part of a committee, but this time, it was limited to two backs. Irving led the Ducks in carries, amassing 1,058 yards on 156 attempts in 13 games. He also blossomed as a receiver, hauling in 31 balls for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
As a junior in 2023, Irving was the clear 1-A option in Oregon’s backfield. He handled 186 carries in 14 games, totaling 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns. Irving took a massive step forward as a pass catcher, too. He caught 56 passes for 413 yards and two more scores.
Where does Oregon's Bucky Irving rank amongst the top #CollegeFootball running backs for 2023? #GoDucks🦆pic.twitter.com/uFLF7dK7sa
— College Football Network (@CFN365) June 9, 2023
In total, Irving compiled 2,950 total yards and 21 total touchdowns in his 27 games at Oregon.
After three seasons at college, Irving chose to forgo his senior year and declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Irving’s Potential in the NFL
We’re seeing more and more smaller running backs thrive at the NFL level. However, we seldom see one of them operate as a bell cow.
Pro Football Network’s Derek Tate explains.
“Undersized backs who excel in a pass-catching capacity are a valuable commodity in today’s NFL, but the path to a three-down bell cow role is very tough to project. For every Austin Ekeler or Kyren Williams that manages to buck the stereotype for smaller backs, there exists a Bryce Love or Ito Smith who don’t quite pan out.
“Irving has some impressive reps on tape, but the tape doesn’t exactly suggest his vision is elite. His creativity and elusiveness in space make his lack of explosiveness in the vertical jump (29.5”), board jump (9’7”), and 40-yard dash (4.55) a bit of a disappointment.
“The pass protection concerns combined with his lack of size could make it tough for him to be trusted as a third-down specialist, despite his ideal reliability as a pass catcher.
“Ultimately, Irving can certainly contribute as a Day 2 prospect in the right situation, but the projection of him ever leading an NFL backfield in carries could be a bit of a stretch.”
MORE: Derek Tate’s Full Scouting Report of Bucky Irving
Irving is one of several running backs likely to go on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. With no clear RB1 of this class and every back having holes in his profile, landing spot and utilization will be key.
If Irving lands in a favorable position, he could carve out a very strong role as a team’s satellite back. In the wrong spot, he could be relegated to backup duties.
Highlights, Records, and More
While Irving posted quality production at Oregon, it wasn’t quite enough to earn him many individual honors. He did make second-team All-Pac-12 in 2023, and CFN gave him an honorable mention at the Flex position for its 2023 All-American Offense.
Other than the above, for better or worse, there’s not much about Irving’s performance at college that truly stands out. He finished college with 12 total 100-yard rushing efforts in 39 games.
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