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Four-star running back Jamal Elliott spoke with Campus Insiders regarding his “dream offer” from the Oregon Ducks and the other schools that are trending upward in his recruitment. 

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A move from Durham, North Carolina to Eugene, Oregon would not be the easiest one in the world. A change in friends, atmosphere and time zones is a lot to adjust to, especially when beginning your college career.

But that won’t deter 4-star prospect Jamal Elliott from considering Willie Taggart’s Ducks in his recruitment.

Elliott, who is ranked as the No. 14 running back and No. 216 overall player in the 2018 recruiting class, received his “dream offer” from the University of Oregon on Tuesday, and he spoke with Campus Insiders about the possibility of playing for the team he idolized as a kid.

“That’s my dream school,” Elliott said. “It fits my style of play. If you watch my film, you can see that I play in a fast-tempo offense. [I’m a] speed, all-purpose back.”

The appreciation began when he was in middle school. With wide eyes, Elliott watched LaMichael James and De’Anthony Thomas tear it up out of the Ducks’ backfield and terrorize the entire Pac-12.

That’s one reason why the 5-foot-10, 180-pound tailback compares his own game to that of Thomas, whose speed was a large component of Oregon’s offensive attack from 2011 to 2013.

It should be noted, though, that the program has seen two coaching changes occur since Elliott first dreamed of playing college football in Eugene.

When Chip Kelly left to take the Philadelphia Eagles job following the 2012 season, Mark Helfrich stepped in and led the way for four seasons. Helfrich has since been replaced by Willie Taggart, who has many — Elliott included — believing in a bigger, brighter future for the Ducks.

Elliott voiced his confidence in Taggart’s vision and believes the new Oregon coach will rebuild the program fairly quickly.

While the 4-star halfback would love to be a part of that solution for the Ducks, Oregon isn’t the only school calling. Elliott tabbed both Tennessee and Virginia Tech as two of the schools showing him the most love at the moment.

“[Both have] great coaching, and both programs are on the come up,” he said.

Still, despite the attention from the Volunteers and Hokies, it appears the Ducks are going to be tough to beat out.

After all, Elliott has been dreaming of donning an Oregon uniform since he was in middle school.

MORE: Oregon Makes 4-Star QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s Top Schools List