Former Oregon running back LaMichael James was drafted with the 61st overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday.

James, who set a school record in his three seasons with 5,082 career rushing yards and was twice named an All-American, ranks as Oregon's highest draft pick since T.J. Ward was selected 38th overall in 2010. He is the first of a slew of former Ducks, including tight end David Paulson and linebacker Josh Kaddu, to be drafted to an NFL team.

The Texarkana, Texas native will join a San Francisco backfield that includes Frank Gore and newly acquired former New York Giant Brandon Jacobs. The 49ers are coming off a breakout 2011 season that saw them win 13 games and make it to the NFC Championship game (which they lost to Jacobs' Giants). Aside from staying in Pac-12 territory on the West Coast, James will also team up with former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Alex Smith, who was drafted No. 1 overall back in 2005 out of Utah.

Harbaugh, for his part, is plenty familiar with James' talent — in 2010, the Oregon star ran for 257 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-31 victory over the Cardinal.

As soon as James was drafted early Friday evening, the Twitter world exploded and "RB LaMichael James" was soon trending worldwide:

First, his close friend Kenjon Barner had to weigh in:

Then, in the age of instant analysis, the media began to break down what James would bring to the table…

More of his teammates and classmates also provided their takes:

And it wasn't just limited to Twitter, of course. Just look at James' phone:

Related topics: Kenjon Barner, LaMichael James