EUGENE -- Royce Freeman's last appearance in Eugene ended on a high note, walking out of Autzen Stadium after a Civil War win, leaving the field as Oregon's all-time leader in numerous rushing categories.

His return, while not as momentous, was certainly memorable for the soon-to-be professional running back from Imperial, Calif.

"It feels good to be out here, especially with old teammates and guys I played with," Freeman said at Oregon's pro day earlier this month. "It was a good experience."

Freeman's pro day at Oregon was a relatively relaxed one. Because of the body of work produced from his career, the senior has four years worth of game tape and February's NFL Combine numbers to sit back on as he prepares for the April 26 draft. Inside the Moshofsky Center, Freeman didn't participate in any timed or recorded activities, instead electing to run through a few individual drills with scouts.

He was on hand to answer any questions from scouts and then met with the media for the first time since that Civil War win. After that week, Freeman elected not to play in the postseason. He watched from the sidelines as Oregon lost the Las Vegas Bowl 38-28.

Freeman's choice to sit out was highly publicized and even more amplified because of the way Oregon's offense struggled to gain traction against the Broncos. After the game, Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal and teammates defended Freeman's decision, one that was made in preserving his body for the draft.

"Royce is family," fellow senior running back Kani Benoit said. "We were 100 percent behind it and he loves this team and we would be disappointed if he didn't come with us."

Freeman wasn't surprised that he was asked about it at the NFL Combine by scouts. It's the same process that former college stars heading into the NFL like Christian McCaffrey have been through and Freeman didn't take his decision lightly.

"It's been interesting, man. It's different. You're transitioning into a new part of your life and just taking it day by day is all you can do," he said. "They asked all kinds of questions, about who you are and why you make the decisions you make."

Freeman, who played through various injuries over his final two seasons at Oregon, was healthy at the combine. His 4.54 40-yard dash ranked ninth among running backs. Freeman considered the rest of his measurables good enough to rest on for Oregon's pro day.

Many experts have him pegged as a mid-round pick.

"I think there will be good depth, and you can always find that one guy who drops a lot further than they should," said ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. in a teleconference earlier this year. "Even Royce Freeman, he had a great start to his career and tailed off a little late. If people get down on Freeman because he didn't finish strong, maybe Freeman gets into the fourth or fifth round and there's a guy we know at a maximum level can give you a heck of a performance."

Prior to pro day, Freeman had been training in San Diego, but will stay to train in Eugene for the final month before the draft. He said he hasn't heard much talk of where he'll end up, instead he's keeping the same approach that was taught during his earlier days at Oregon. He'll work on winning each day and carrying on to the next.

It was just this day, inside of his old practice facility with his old teammates, was on he said he'll hold onto for quite some time.

"Spending (pro day) with people you played with and teammates is definitely a memory you'll have forever," he said.

-- Tyson Alger

talger@oregonian.com

@tysonalger