For the sixth consecutive year, the Oregon Ducks had a future running back in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

And he may have had the second-best showing in that time period, eclipsed only by Royce Freeman, who ran for a game-record three touchdowns in the 2014 edition.

Consensus four-star running back Vavae Malepeai put on a show in the exhibition showcase, rushing for a game-high 74 yards on eight carries (9.25 yards per carry), while displaying an array of dazzling moves.

As it turns out, Rivals took notice, launching the 6-foot, 190-pound ball-carrier into the top 250 prospects in the nation (No. 159).

Here's what Rivals West analyst Blair Angulo had to say about the dynamic running back:

"Given his competition level in Hawaii, it had been difficult to evaluate Malepeai before his impressive week at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. The Oregon commit had the film to earn a four-star ranking and he backed it up in the all-star setting, showing great vision and patience when he had the ball in his hands. Malepeai needed very little space to operate and didn't back down from contact, making sure to pick up tough yardage and bursting through narrow running lanes to move the chains. He's not the power back that Royce Freeman is in the Ducks' offense and he won't burn opponents like LaMichael James did, but Malepeai should have a productive career in Eugene. Malepeai has been hearing from several other schools, including Michigan and Washington, but he told Rivals.com recently he doesn't intend to take any other visits and is firmly committed to Oregon. "

As a senior, Malepeai broke the all-time rushing record in the state of Hawaii and was nominated for U.S. Army Player of the Year.

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec