Oregon football has no shortage of depth in 2023 and that’s challenged guys who were highly-touted high school players to find alternative ways to help out their football team. That impact can come on special teams.

On Friday, following practice No. 9 of fall camp, Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn talked about how he’s encouraged those in his position group to embrace a role on special teams if that means earning snaps and seeing the field.

Here are five takeaways from interviews with Locklyn, wide receiver Troy Franklin and defensive back Khamari Terrell.

The Ducks are returning their top two rushers in Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington as well as short-yardage specialist Jordan James. They also added four-star recruits Jayden Limar and Dante Dowdell, who were used to touching the ball on the majority of plays in high school.

That won’t be the case for either this season. Their impact on the offense lies in future seasons. But Locklyn sees a role for those freshmen this year — as long as they’re willing to accept it.

“You got one ball, and in that room we got three talented guys,” Locklyn said. “Just being realistic, you’re a young [guy] coming in, you can make an impact on special teams. You want to see a young man’s true sacrifice, you’ll see that on special teams.”

Whether it may be as the returner, a gunner or a blocker for the punter, Limar and Dowdell will have opportunities to see playing time. Showing dedication will result in earning those more desired touches sooner.

Locklyn and his room have had open conversations about a hot topic in football circles: the value of the running back.

A former running back himself, he tries to teach his guys certain ways to make themselves indispensable to Oregon and a potential suitor in the NFL.

“We talk about making knowledge your greatest talent,” Locklyn said. “Making yourself valuable, knowing pass protection, knowing what pressure is coming, being as smart as your quarterback.”

Locklyn’s had success bolstering guys onto that next level as former Memphis running backs Antonio Gibson, Kenneth Gainwell and Tony Pollard all hold valuable roles for their respective teams. It’s telling as each has a versatile skill set — the ability to run between the tackles, block and catch the ball.

“I told my guys before, ‘If you want to play in the NFL, there are a couple of things you gotta be able to do. You got to be a multi-faceted back; you got to be able to run the ball, catch the ball and play special teams,’” Locklyn said. “If you can’t do that, you’ll only dream about playing in the NFL.”

For Irving, last season that manifested itself in playing kick returner at times and Locklyn mentioned Irving may assume that role occasionally in 2023.

Continuity is key at the running back spot and that’s exactly what quarterback Bo Nix will get alongside him in 2023.

It didn’t take long for Irving and Whittington to jump Byron Cardwell and Sean Dollars on the depth chart last year, and now they're entrenched incumbents at the position.

Irving and Whittington complement one another well. The former presents as an early down workhorse and the latter can surprise defenses with his pass-catching ability and speed in open space. They both catch the ball and emphasize pass protection.

The short-yardage and goal-line back will be filled by a returner as well as James enters his sophomore season in that role. James earned his role during the season last fall -- In Oregon’s game against a BYU team that was ranked top 15 at the time, it was James who lined up in the backfield on multiple fourth downs, moving the chains each time.

Lanning used James to establish the tough, between-the-tackles running standard that was Oregon’s identity last season. Coming into 2023, the sophomore has found new ways to make himself valuable.

“I’ve seen his growth in the weight room,” Locklyn said. “He’s understanding this is not high school where I get the ball and run over everybody. He’s understanding run concepts and where he fits in, what his reads are. His knowledge of the game has grown.”

The 'star' position has been a crucial part of Oregon’s defense even before head coach Dan Lanning was hired, with continuity over the last half-decade as current Miami Dolphins Jevon Holland and Bennett Williams manned that position.

Now it’s passed on to sophomore Khamari Terrell.

As the 'star,' Terrell will line up inside the hash, guard slot receivers and tight-ends, at times be asked to rush the quarterback and be the second-line of defense on outside running plays.

Terrell earned this crucial role after spending last year on special teams and learning the defense during practices.

“I tried to make a big impact on special teams so this year I could take over the starting spot,” Terrell said. “I didn’t know the plays as much, so this year I can just execute and play fast.”

He feels his speed, length and confidence will be advantageous to excelling at this position. It will also give fellow projected starters Tysheem Johnson, Khyree Jackson, Evan Williams and Nikko Reed confidence that they have a strong and experienced partner on the inside.

Terrell mentioned Reed and sophomore Jahlil Florence have seen reps at the position as well.

Franklin nearly doubled all Oregon wide receivers with 891 receiving yards last season. It was the most by a Ducks wide receiver since Dillon Mitchell in 2018. And the scariest thing for Oregon’s 2023 opponents is that he feels there’s room to grow alongside his gunslinger.

“We’re just on target with things,” Franklin said about his chemistry with Nix. “We trust each other and I know where he’s going to put it and he knows where I’m going to be.”

Franklin headlines a star-studded wide receiver room that added transfers Traeshon Holden and Tez Johnson as well as freshmen Jurrion Dickey and Ashton Cozart. Walk-on Darrian Anderson has also received high praise during fall camp.

Coming into 2023, Franklin’s also added muscle.

“I think it helps me with my play strength, just running through defenders on my release and breaking tackles,” he said.