Former 4-Star Prospect Ranked No. 1 Freshman Running Back in College Football

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True freshman running back Dierre Hill Jr. of the Oregon Ducks earned a 90.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025, the highest mark among all freshman running backs in college football. Hill, a consensus four-star recruit, rushed for 656 yards and 5 touchdowns while averaging 8.7 yards per carry in his debut season, showcasing impressive efficiency and versatility.

Why it matters

Hill's standout freshman campaign provides a bright spot for the Oregon Ducks, whose 2025 season ended in disappointment with a 56-22 loss to Indiana in the Peach Bowl. His emergence adds a new dynamic dimension to Oregon's offense, which was previously led by quarterback Dante Moore and the passing attack.

The details

A consensus four-star recruit out of Althoff Catholic High School in Centralia, Illinois, Hill was rated the No. 8 running back and a top-150 national prospect. As a senior, he rushed for 2,588 yards and 40 touchdowns, earning Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year honors. In his first season at Oregon in 2025, Hill carried the ball just 75 times but produced 656 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 8.7 yards per carry. He also added 16 receptions for 137 yards and another score, displaying his versatility as a dual-threat back.

• Hill was a consensus four-star recruit out of Althoor Catholic High School in Centralia, Illinois in the Class of 2025.
• In 2025, Hill's first season with the Oregon Ducks, he carried the ball 75 times and produced 656 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.
• According to Pro Football Focus, Hill earned a 90.8 overall grade for the 2025 season, the highest mark among all freshman running backs in college football.