Utah or Oregon? The choice may not be easy for LaMarcus Bell

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Oswego senior LaMarcus Bell has been one of the state's most productive backs in recent memory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a stellar junior campaign, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound ball-carrier earned All-American honors from MaxPreps and Sporting News.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, Bell has rushed for 1,027 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 11.6 yards per carry, in just 22 quarters played (missed 2 games, sat second half in blowouts).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, it should come as no surprise that the talented Lake Oswego star - and Utah Utes commit - picked up a late scholarship offer from the Oregon Ducks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many people immediately speculated that a flip to Oregon was imminent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the truth is it's not that simple.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Bell first flipped from Oregon State to Utah in June, the move put him behind a perennially-tough Utes offensive line in a Big 12 Conference that isn't exactly known for its defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a near-ideal set-up for young back looking to put up numbers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, the Utes are set to bring back both sophomore Wayshawn Parker (607 yards, 7.0 yards per carry) and freshman Daniel Bray (246 yards, 7.9 yards per carry), but seniors NaQuari Rogers and Bryce Duke are set to move on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Therefore, Bell could carve out a role to early playing time, especially if either Parker or Bray were to hit the transfer portal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oregon's depth chart, on the other hand, is likely to scare away backs in the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And the Ducks may find it difficult to bring in bluechip ball-carriers in the next two recruiting cycles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Noah Whittington is set to graduate, the Ducks boast arguably the nation's most dynamic freshman 1-2 punch in Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr., both of whom look like future NFL backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davison, a 6-foot, 235-pound bruiser, has carried the ball 51 times for 352 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Hill Jr., a 5-foot-11, 205-pound speedster, has accumulated 36 carries for 357 yards and 4 total touchdowns, averaging 9.9 yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only is the young duo talented, they also complement one another's skillsets, which makes it difficult to break through the depth chart as a specialized back.. like Davison, himself, did as a goal-line back early this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, Oregon is also set to return Jayden Limar, Jay Harris and Da'Juan Riggs, although it is highly likely at least some combination of those players decides to hit the portal seeing the talent of Davison and Hill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, Bell's decision may come down to this: Does he want the opportunity to fight for early playing time, or does he want to stay close to home?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there are sure to be other factors - Kyle Whittingham's eventual retirement, NIL and the depth chart shake-up via the portal - the truth is that Bell has a choice to make.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And it may not be as easy as local fans believe it to be.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->