Bucky Irving (RB) – Oregon / Senior
5’9″, 192 Lbs. (Combine)
2023 stats: Rush: 14 games, 186 carries, 1180 yds, 6.3 avg, 11 TDs. Receiving: 56 receptions, 413 yards, 7.4 yards, 2 TDs.
{Reference: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/markeise-irving-1.html}
Awards/Leader: #4 rush attempts Pac-12 (2023); #4 rush yards Pac-12 (2023); #4 rushing yards per attempt Pac-12 (2023); #3 rushing TDs Pac-12 (2023); #3 plays from scrimmage Pac-12 (2023); #2 yards from scrimmage Pac-12 (2023); #5 plays from scrimmage Pac-12 (2023); #5 TDs Pac-12 (2023).
Measurables (Combine):
| Hand | Arm | Wing |
| 9-1/2″ | 29-1/2″ | 70-2/3″ |
| 40-Dash | 10-Split | Vertical | Broad | 3-Cone | 20-Shuttle | Bench |
| 4.55 sec | 1.54 sec | 29.5″ | 9’7″ | *** | *** | *** |
RAS: 3.71
Games Watched: 2023 vs. Washington; 2023 vs. Colorado; 2023 vs. California
PRO’S
Even at his listed 5’9 192lb listed size, Mar’Keise “Bucky” Irving runs bigger than he is. Irving is always willing to lower his shoulder into contact and keep his legs turning to get extra yardage, his contact balance is extremely impressive for a RB under 200lbs (3.99 yards after contact). Not only is he a strong runner, Irving’s quick footwork and lateral agility makes him an extremely elusive runner that has would be tacklers look silly, go watch his TD run against Washington, he should have been brought down by +2 defenders in the backfield and 1 in the open field, but he would not be denied. Irving is one of the best, if not the best, pass catching backs in this class. Whether it’s line up in the backfield or lined up as a wide receiver, he can do it all in the passing game due to his soft hands and good route running ability causing mismatches for defenses (55 receptions in 2023). Ball security keeps you on the field, and that is something Irving excels at, only 1 fumble on 475 carries in 3 years.
CON’S
While Irving is a strong runner, one of his biggest question marks coming into the NFL is his 192lb size and will that be able to hold up at the next level. His size also causes issues in pass protection. Quick and bursty athlete but can be caught from behind due to lack of long speed and that showed at the combine with a 4.56 40 yard dash. Can be a bit impatient at times when letting blocks develop, has a tendency to want to bounce out.
OVERALL
If you are a wrestling fan, you have heard the phrase “quicker than a hiccup”, that perfectly describes Bucky Irving. Irving is my current RB1 of the class and has the chance to be one of the top RBs taken in this years class. I believe Irving has a chance to be a 3rd round draft pick and would be a good RB2 on a team, and could become a teams starter if the opportunity presented itself, would really like to see him in a Chargers uniform. Do not let a lackluster 40 time distract you from all the things Bucky does well on a football field.
Completed by: @DynastyDogMike, 03/06/24
Reviewed & edited: J. Clark, 03/06/24
