Oregon running back Makhi Hughes plans to sit out rest of 2025 season and redshirt

Oregon running back Makhi Hughes, who transferred from Tulane after being one of the top rushers in the nation last season, intends to sit out the rest of the season and redshirt, Ducks coach Dan Lanning told reporters Wednesday.

Hughes did not travel with the team last week to No. 2 Oregon’s game against Penn State and had only 17 carries for 70 yards in the first four games for the Ducks (5-0).

The fourth-year player ran for 2,779 yards and 22 touchdowns in the previous two seasons at Tulane, becoming one of the top players in the American Conference. He was considered a major portal addition for the Ducks, who were looking to replace last season’s leading rusher, Jordan James.

Instead, Hughes has slid down the depth chart, with freshmen Dierre Hill Jr. (26 carries for 270 yards) and Jordon Davison (23 carries and seven touchdowns) and junior Jayden Limar (39 carries for 232 yards) emerging as complements to Noah Whittington (21 carries for 184 yards in three games).

Hughes, a Birmingham, Ala., native, could have two more seasons of eligibility left.

He also redshirted in his freshman year at Tulane in 2022 due to an injury. Obtaining a medical hardship waiver for the ’22 season would clear Hughes, who has appeared in only four games this season, to play for two more years.

Hughes’ brother is Oregon cornerback Na’eem Offord, a freshman who has played in five games.

Oregon is off this week and next plays No. 11 Indiana at home on Oct. 11.

(Photo: Ben Longergan / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)