Last season, as the Michigan State-Oregon matchup came around, Oregon running back Royce Freeman was a bit of an unknown entity. He had been a highly-rated recruit and expected to compete for major carries during the Ducks' 2014 season.

A year later, much more is known about the sophomore. On the field, he's dominant, one of the best -- if not the best -- in the Pac-12. He'll be a major component in the Ducks' offensive success this season as he steps up his play and his vocal leadership.

But what else is there to Freeman? When asking him, he's kind of a closed book. He's not the guy that's going to say anything too brash during an interview or find himself in the headlines for anything other than running down defenses.

So, we asked around to some of those who either know Freeman well or have watched him closely for their perception of what it is that makes Freeman unique to them as a player, as an opponent, as a roommate and as a son.

Freeman, as your own guy: Oregon running backs coach Gary Campbell said that when it comes to Freeman there's just not a lot to tell, describing him as "not much of a public person." If there is something that maybe separates Freeman from other running backs across the country, for Campbell, it might be that Freeman "doesn't have a bunch of guys that he wants to be like. ...He wants to be himself and that's the way I want him to be. I want him to be the kind of guy that everybody wants to be like Royce, not Royce wants to be like somebody." So far, Freeman has done a good job of creating his own path at Oregon and in the conference, becoming the Ducks' first true freshman 1,000-yard rusher in school history as well as the top true freshman rusher in Pac-12 history.

Freeman, as opposition: A season ago it was the Michigan State game that really introduced Freeman to the national scene. He had played well against South Dakota, but those results didn't bring attention in the way his two-touchdown game against Michigan State did. "He's a good player, a big back, bigger than the normal little backs that Oregon has. He definitely gives their offense a different look," said Pitt coach and former Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. Oregon State defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake has watched plenty of game tape on Freeman. Sitake's squad at Utah last season prevented Freeman from notching a 100-yard game when they held him to 99 in Salt Lake City. Now, Sitake's defense will have to try and contain him on Nov. 27 when the Beavers and Ducks play. In 2014, Freeman had his second-best performance of the year against Oregon State when he rushed for 135 yards. "All you have to do is look at how many missed tackles he causes in college football," Sitake said. "He knows how to make people miss and when he gets into open space, he's dynamic with the ball."

More on Oregon For full coverage of the Ducks, check out the Oregon blog, part of ESPN's College Football Nation. Blog

More:

• Oregon's clubhouse page

• ESPN.com's Pac-12 blog

Freeman, as a roommate: Defensive back Arrion Springs and wide receiver Charles Nelson, who both live with Freeman, have a different view of him than most. "Most people think he's a quiet guy, but he's not. He talks a lot," Nelson said. "I don't know, you guys know everything about him." But then Nelson went on to say a few things that most probably didn't know. 1. Freeman is a clean roommate. The house is clean. 2. His version of cooking is either sticking something in the microwave or making eggs. Lots of eggs. 3. This past summer, he watched a few episodes of "Dating Naked" on VH1. It's described on VH1's website as a show "that explores the art of romance, free of preconceived notions, stereotypes -- and clothes." Nelson said at first he and Springs gave Freeman some slack for it but then they all watched a few episodes. "It's not a routine thing," Springs said.

Freeman, as a son: Unsurprisingly, Freeman has always been the best eater in the family. In high school he was essentially the family's vacuum cleaner in the kitchen, but Freeman's mom Sheila said that this summer she noticed -- for the one week he was home -- Freeman had taken more interest in what he was putting into his body. "A lot more healthy foods," Sheila noted. However, he did have a few special requests before returning home, including his grandfather's cheesy potatoes and his aunt's chicken enchiladas, and he always make sure to stop in to Johnny's Burritos in Imperial, California.