Last season in college football, the Oregon Ducks were on the verge of an impressive undefeated run in the regular season — only to suffer a resounding early exit in the Playoffs. Looking to improve on that outcome, Dan Lanning’s squad bolstered its roster with the addition of Makhi Hughes, a standout player from Tulane.
The explosive running back arrived in Eugene to take on a new challenge in his career, following two fantastic years with the Green Wave — marked not only by impressive stats but also by strong overall performances on the field.
In a recent conversation with the media, the young—yet already experienced—head coach Dan Lanning made it clear why they chose to recruit Hughes, aiming to further strengthen an offense that set a high bar last season.
“Ultimately, the goal for us is, again, to make sure we have enough guys that can play a winning level of football,” the HC said on Always College Football. “And there’s a kind of number that we really want in that running back room, and felt like we had an opportunity to get a good player in Makhi.”
Makhi Hughes #21 of the Tulane Green Wave rushes the ball in the third quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Annapolis, Maryland.
Over the course of two seasons with the Green Wave, Hughes took the field in 28 games. During that span, he racked up 2,779 rushing yards, averaging an efficient 5.3 yards per carry, and found the end zone 22 times on the ground. As a receiving threat, he added 30 catches for 243 yards and scored two more touchdowns through the air.
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A talented running back corps
Hughes’ arrival gives an added boost to a running back room that already boasts plenty of talent. With his addition, Dan Lanning now has the opportunity to further refine this unit — and if utilized to its full potential, it could become a major weapon against opposing defenses.
“Then have some really talented players in that room that I’m really excited about. There’s some young ones in Jordon [Davison] and Dierre [Hill]. Then, some guys that have been here. You know, Noah [Whittington] has been a proven back for us in our league. Da’Juan Riggs had a really good season his freshman year. Jay Harris, you know, Jayden Limar, there’s several guys in that room that I think can make an impact, but we’re ultimately looking for guys that fit us,” Lanning said.
“The one piece about Makhi is he’s the one that’s always falling forward. When there’s yards to be had, he’s going to make sure he’s falling forward.”
The post-Dillon Gabriel era in Eugene
If there was a key figure behind Oregon’s impressive campaign last season, it was undoubtedly Dillon Gabriel. Now the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Gabriel left an indelible mark during his time with the Ducks — a legacy that, according to head coach Dan Lanning, will not be easy to replace.
“I think it’s always about picking the right person. It’s always about picking the right people. You want competitive guys with competitive spirit. Guys that are great players. Guys that are committed to trying to be the best version of themselves,” the HC said about replacing Gabriel.
“A lot of people mess up an evaluation. For us, we try to start with people. What kind of people are you bringing aboard? That will always be our process. Guys that want to get better. Growth mindset that have the talent that can play at this level.”
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