Oregon Lands Another Texas Playmaker: RB CaDarius McMiller Commits to the Ducks
Oregon just added another dose of Texas speed to its backfield.
CaDarius McMiller, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound running back out of Tyler, Texas, gave his verbal commitment to the Ducks on Saturday, becoming the fifth pledge in Oregon’s 2027 recruiting class. And make no mistake-this is a big pickup. McMiller’s blend of size, speed, and production has him on a trajectory that Ducks fans should be excited about.
Let’s start with the wheels. As a freshman, McMiller clocked a 6.97 in the indoor 60 meters at the Carl Lewis Invitational-a personal best that puts him firmly in the “explosive” category.
For context, Oregon legend LaMichael James ran a 6.77 in the 60 during his redshirt freshman year. McMiller’s already within striking distance, and he’s four years younger than James was at the time.
That’s not just potential-it’s a glimpse of what’s coming.
He’s not just a sprinter, either. As a sophomore, McMiller posted a 10.59 in the 100 meters, and there’s buzz he could break the 10.5 barrier this spring. That’s rarefied air, the kind of territory once occupied by James, Kenjon Barner, and Darron Thomas-names that helped define Oregon’s high-octane offenses of the past.
But McMiller isn’t just about speed. He’s a power back with a burst, the kind of runner who can lower his shoulder through contact and then outrun the secondary.
Last fall, he became a household name in East Texas after back-to-back monster performances-six touchdowns in one game against Seagoville, five the week before. That’s the kind of production that turns heads, and it’s not just flash.
In his third varsity season, he racked up 939 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging a staggering 8.7 yards per carry. That’s efficiency that jumps off the stat sheet.
His teammates call him The Kid Next Door, but on the field, he’s anything but ordinary.
Oregon running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples played a major role in landing McMiller. Samples, a product of Duncanville in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has deep ties in Texas, and he’s been instrumental in building the Ducks’ pipeline to the Lone Star State.
That connection is paying dividends. Wide receiver Dakorien Moore, another Texas standout, is already turning heads in Eugene.
Add in Tradarian Ball and 2026 five-star receiver Jalen Lott, and you start to see a pattern: Oregon is becoming a second home for elite Texas skill players.
McMiller had no shortage of suitors. He chose Oregon over bluebloods like Notre Dame and Texas, along with two dozen other programs.
What tipped the scale? According to those close to the recruitment, it was Samples’ consistent communication and belief in McMiller’s potential that sealed the deal.
Tyler, Texas-nicknamed The Rose City-has a rich football history, and every back who comes through there inevitably gets compared to the Tyler Rose himself: Earl Campbell. That’s a heavy shadow to run under.
But McMiller is carving his own path. He’s already a Navy All-American, and his high school coach, Rashaun Woods, didn’t hold back when asked what Oregon is getting.
“CaDarius’s grit, speed, and heart embody the very best of Tyler High School,” Woods said.
That’s high praise-and it echoes what Oregon fans have seen before in backs who wear green and yellow. Grit.
Speed. Heart.
That’s the formula. And while it’s way too early to crown McMiller the next LaMichael James, the tools are there.
The fire is there. And the Ducks’ staff is clearly building something in that backfield.
The competition isn’t over, either. Oregon still has its eye on Noah Roberts, a four-star back out of Basha High in Arizona. But that’s the nature of elite programs-iron sharpens iron, and the best backs don’t shy away from competition.
For now, the Ducks have landed one of the most intriguing backs in the 2027 class. CaDarius McMiller is headed north, and Oregon’s backfield just got a whole lot faster.