Tag: A’Marion Peterson

USC running backs share the wealth, a great sign early in 2024 season

The great thing about the use of the USC running backs early in the 2024 season is that Lincoln Riley wants to rotate guys and keep them fresh. That’s smart.

The USC Trojans made a commitment to getting bigger in 2024. One of the reasons for this was to run the ball with consistency. The running backs stood to benefit from this change in philosophy, and we saw evidence of this in the physical performance against Utah State. USC’s 249 yards versus the Aggies represented the most on the ground by the Trojans since November of 2018 against the Oregon State Beavers. Woody Marks of Atlanta transferred to USC in the offseason from Mississippi State, where he was the leading receiver in Bulldog history. Marks is joined by three other running backs who all touched the rock against Utah State. Quinten Joyner got several carries against Utah State and looked like a very good RB2 behind Marks. Bryan Jackson got a little bit of work in mop-up time versus Utah State. A’Marion Peterson got some carries and was able to score a great second-effort touchdown, which excited all his USC teammates.

There’s a lot to like about these USC running backs. I caught them in action during Utah State. Get a look at these guys — they’re good, and if the wealth continues to be spread around, these running backs will be fresh for the heart of the Big Ten season in mid-October and into November:

USC running back recalls Caleb Williams’ generosity as a teammate

USC has football players who think of others first.

A’Marion Peterson has a surprise for his high school teammates who helped him get to USC. Peterson, in a move that should be very familiar to Trojan fans and to Caleb Williams, reached out to his high school teammates. The Wichita Falls Times Record News explained his generosity:

After opting in to be part of the new College Football 25 video game being released by EA Sports this week, Peterson received $600 as part of the company’s name, image and likeness agreement with the more than 11,000 NCAA Division I football players who chose to be part of the game.

But Peterson isn’t keeping the money.

Instead, he’s donating it to four of his former teammates — Izayiah Mackey, Matthew Balderas, Robert Crump and Caleb Hargrow — and will also purchase the game for each individual.

“They helped protect and block for me in high school. I want to make sure they know how much I appreciate them for getting me to where I’m at today,” Peterson said.

It is a move of thanksgiving that should remind everyone of Caleb Williams, who invited his USC offensive line to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York as a gesture of appreciation for their hard work. Caleb Williams also gave various fun items to USC athletes in non-football sports, becoming part of a larger community. A’Marion Peterson and Caleb Williams are good people and good teammates.

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Will USC have a 1,000-yard running back in 2024?

USC’s use of its running backs is a key plot point in 2024.

There are few, if any, college programs that can challenge the level of greatness the USC Trojans have produced at the running back position.  USC boasts countless 1,000 yard rushers, Consensus All-Americans, five Heismans and 2 NFL Hall of Fame running backs.

However, USC has not had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2017, when Ronald “Rojo” Jones II rushed for 1550 yards. This stat does come with an asterisk. Both Keontay Ingram and Travis Dye would most likely have eclipsed the milestone if not for season-ending injuries. Last year Marshawn Lloyd would also have rushed for a thousand yards if he didn’t miss a game against Washington and opt out of the Holiday Bowl against Louisville in preparation for the NFL draft.

Can a Trojan running back rush for 1,000 yards in the Big Ten, where defenses are built to stop the run and elite rush defenses such as Michigan and Penn State loom on the other side of the line of scrimmage?

USC enters the 2024 season with yet another veteran, Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks, transferring from Mississippi State. USC’s last three leading rushers have been transfers (Ingram – Texas, Dye – Oregon, and Lloyd – South Carolina).  Marks, best known for his receiving (all-time leader in receptions at Mississippi State), can still bring it as a ballcarrier. At 5-foot-8 and 205 pounds, he can run between the tackles.

The other four scholarship running backs come from the state of Texas. Most people remember redshirt freshman Quinten Joyner for his 47-yard touchdown run against Nevada. Joyner’s burst and speed make him a home-run threat every time he touches the ball.  His 2022 classmate, A’Marion Peterson, is another athletic back who won’t go down on first contact. The third Texas back is true freshman Bryan Jackson.  While all three of these backs are physical, Jackson is the true thumper of the group at six feet and 230 pounds of “smash you in the mouth” running that will be useful in the Big Ten in short yardage and goal line situations.

While Lloyd came close last year when splitting carries with Austin Jones, it will be interesting to see how these 2024 USC running backs will be used, and if any of them will get enough carries to go over the 1,000-yard mark.

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USC’s A’Marion Peterson makes generous gesture to high school teammates

USC’s A’Marion Peterson is already a winner after his classy, thoughtful recognition of high school teammates.

Here’s a feel-good story for everyone at USC in a summer which has been difficult and frustrating: USC running back A’Marion Peterson is taking his NIL money from the EA Sports College Football 25 game and donating it to his former teammates at Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The Times Record newspaper has more:

After opting in to be part of the new College Football 25 video game being released by EA Sports this week, Peterson received $600 as part of the company’s name, image and likeness agreement with the more than 11,000 NCAA Division I football players who chose to be part of the game.

What an impressive thing to do. It is very easy to root for A’Marion Peterson on the field this fall at USC.

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A’Marion Peterson brings the 1-2 punch at RB for the Trojans’ 2023 class

Top-end speed is a featured asset of this new USC running back commit.

Wichita Falls (Texas) Hirschi running back A’Marion Peterson, a four-star and the No. 25 player at his position (RB), wil be a USC Trojan in 2023.

Peterson is one if the most productive running backs in the 2023 recruitng class. The Texas native ran for 1,817 yards on 238 carries and scored an insane 28 touchdowns during his junior season.

He followed that up in his senior season with 330 yards and 6 touchdowns in only two games as he battled injuries all season. Peterson finished his high school career second in all time rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total offense and points scored. In 47 games Peterson had 5,048 rushing yards with 62 touchdowns.

Peterson is a very physical running back with great top-end speed. He has a track record of very strong production versus Texas 4A competition, which includes more than 1,800 yards on 7.63 yards per carry as a junior.

Peterson has a good combination of play speed and power that could put him on the field a lot in the next two years at SC. I don’t expect to see Peterson get major carries yet, but by Year 2 in the offense, expect considerable production from him.

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