Oregon’s newest running back Jay Harris vying to be latest Division II transfer to shine in FBS

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EUGENE — Oregon’s newest running back, Jay Harris is taking a big step up in competition.

The Division II All-American is one of 12 transfers to join the Ducks this offseason. A handful of Division II players transfer up to the FBS each year and the Ducks are hoping Harris, who ran for 1,433 yards and 14 touchdowns at Northwest Missouri State last season, can translate his game to the Big Ten.

“Guys are bigger, stronger, faster,” Harris said. “Coming out here to play more competition and getting better each day with those guys. I’ve adapted pretty well. Faster pace, but overall I’ve been adapting well since I’ve been here.”

If spring practice is any indication, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Harris should fit in well to Oregon’s backfield. He had a pair of scoring runs during Saturday’s scrimmage, Oregon’s second of the spring.

“Still needs to work on the details; learning what he needs to be doing consistently,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “But was a solid practice from him today.”

Known mostly for his size and power, Harris also had 10 receptions for 32 yards last season. He showed some of his ability in the passing game early in spring practice.

“He’s a big physical guy,” fellow running back Jordan James said. “He’s hard to tackle. He’s going to be hard to bring down. He’s going to be somebody that helps us win some ballgames.”

Harris was an all-state honoree at both running back and cornerback for Timberland (Missouri) High School in 2022, but was unrated as a prospect — “under-recruited” as he put it. Two years later he’ll be vying for a role in a room that has to replace the production of Bucky Irving.

“He runs extremely well,” offensive coordinator Will Stein said. “He’s a tough kid from humble beginnings. I’m really excited about Jay.”

It would not be unprecedented for a Division II running back to have success at the upper end of the FBS. South Carolina’s leading rusher, Mario Anderson, transferred from Division II Newberry and had 707 rushing yards and three touchdowns and 153 receiving yards and a score last season.

Harris believes his versatility will allow him to contribute in a variety of ways for the Ducks.

“He was overlooked for sure,” James said. “He gets his chance to prove himself now.”

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