NEW HAVEN, Conn. – On the day he received first-team Pac-10 all-academic honors, University of Oregon running back LaMichael James was named one of 15 “players to watch” by the Walter Camp Football Foundation for its 2010 player of the year award.

James is one of just three running backs to make the list, which will be pared down to five finalists on Wednesday, December 1.

Oregon’s second all-time leading rusher with 2,968 yards is the nation’s top back, averaging 158 yards per game. A second-year starter from Texarkana, Texas, James is tied for the NCAA scoring lead at 12.0 points per game as a result of his UO single-season record 18 touchdowns.

The 5-9, 185-pound runner has the top three rushing performances in the Pac-10 this season, including a career-high 257 yards in the top-ranked Ducks’ win over then-No. 9 Stanford on October 2. James has three 200-yard rushing performances and seven games of 100 yards or more on the year.

Also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, recognizing the outstanding player in college football, and the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back, James’ 1,422 yards on the year ranks third on UO’s single-season list and 28th in conference history with two regular season and one bowl game to go.

The winner of college football’s fourth-oldest award will be announced live on Thursday, December 9, during the 3 p.m. PT edition of ESPN’s SportsCenter.

The Ducks, who are in the midst of a bye week, have a chance to clinch their second straight Pac-10 title when they host No. 23 Arizona on Friday, November 26, at 4 p.m. PT on ESPN.