Cordarrian Richardson

Former Clemson RB commit and four-star recruit Cordarrian Richardson

(Courtesy of Hayes Fawcett/Cordarrian Richardson)

The Oregon Ducks are in the market for a running back, and have made some major splashes on the recruiting trail since the hiring of Willie Taggart.

First came the news that USC commit and five-star running back Stephen Carr is set to visit Eugene.

But he's not the only bluechip ball-carrier planning a January visit.

247Sports four-star running back Cordarrian Richardson, the nation's No. 6 prospect at his position, is also set to take an official visit to Oregon.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound back, out of Trezevant High School (Memphis, Tennessee), plans to arrive on campus January 27, and is anxious to see what the Ducks have to offer.

"I can only go by interactions and things that I've read, however I am very optimistic," he said.

Richardson decommitted from Clemson on January 23, and holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee and many others.

Oregon has a running back commit in C.J. Verdell, an ESPN four-star prospect, but after failing to sign a player at the position in the 2016 recruiting cycle, the program is hoping to add two on Signing Day.

Richardson would certainly be an intriguing addition, and his possible commitment might be more likely than some may think.

For three consecutive recruiting classes, Oregon has signed a four-star recruit out of Tennessee - cornerback Ugo Amadi (2015), wide receiver Dillon Mitchell (2016) and defensive tackle Rutger Reitmaier (2017).

While that trend has already been extended with the signing of Reitmaier, the Ducks recent history of success in "The Volunteer State" may be reason for some optimism.

Taggart is searching for a running back, and is set to host two of the nation's best in January. Landing either of them would be a major recruiting coup.

But will he pull it off?

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec