Tag: Quinten Joyner

USC freshmen running backs answer the call in Las Vegas Bowl

USC got something out of its younger running backs, who made the most of their opportunity in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Heading into USC football’s Las Vegas Bowl matchup with Texas A&M Friday night, we knew the Trojans’ running back room would be significantly depleted.

Top running back Woody Marks, who is headed to the NFL, opted out of the game. No. 2 back Quinten Joyner also entered the transfer portal, leaving the Trojans with just two scholarship backs—both freshmen—left on the roster.

Those two running backs were true freshman Bryan Jackson and redshirt freshman A’Marion Peterson. Both young players stepped up when their name was called, combining for 28 carries, 109 yards, and a touchdown.

It was exactly the type of performance that USC needed from the two players. Given that they trailed for nearly the entire game, the Trojans were forced to throw the ball more than they ran it. But they were able to get enough production in the ground out of their two young backs to make A&M’s defense respect their run game, in turn opening things up for quarterback Jayden Maiava and the passing game.

With Eli Sanders transferring in from New Mexico, the Trojans will get a big boost in their running back room heading into to next season. After their impressive performance Friday night, however, Jackson and Peterson put themselves in prime position to compete for significant playing time in 2025.

USC running back Quinten Joyner enters the transfer portal

Quinten Joyner to the transfer portal. The USC 2025 roster is being dramatically reshaped as we speak.

The transfer portal is popping, with several hundred players already in and many more to come. USC football running back Quinten Joyner has entered the transfer portal. This complicates the Trojans’ running back situation heading into 2025.

USC, under Lincoln Riley, has primarily featured one running back per season. In 2022, it was Travis Dye, with Austin Jones becoming RB1 only after Dye got hurt late in the season. In 2023, MarShawn Lloyd was the main running back, with others in the running back room getting a relatively limited amount of carries and touches. In 2024, Woody Marks was the main running back, with Joyner playing second fiddle. It’s not as though Marks’ workload was undeserved; Marks was the best player on the USC offense, arguably the whole team. Eddie Czaplicki and pre-injury Eric Gentry were the other stars of the team on special teams and defense, respectively.

If anything, one could make the argument Woody Marks wasn’t used enough. On a larger level, however, Quinten Joyner has reason to think Lincoln Riley didn’t use him as well as he possibly could, if only because USC didn’t run the ball as much as it probably should have.

At any rate, this creates a less certain situation for the USC running back room next season. The transfer portal whirlwind is only just beginning.

USC running backs prepare for big test against Michigan

The USC running game will get a stiff and extensive test against Michigan in the biggest Big Ten game of the week on Sept. 21 in Ann Arbor.

The USC Trojans enter Week 4 coming off a 248-yard rushing performance against Utah State. The Aggies dropped their safeties to keep the Trojan receivers in front of them and challenged the USC to run. Naturally, the physical challenge for the Trojans will be considerable when they head to Ann Arobor. Michigan has an elite cornerback in Will Johnson and a defensive line stuffed with future NFL players. The Wolverines did lose a lot of key players from last season’s national championship roster, but most of those key losses were on the offensive side of the ball. The USC offense and, more specifically, the USC running backs should expect a tough and rugged test from the Michigan defense, especially the Wolverines’ defensive line.

Michigan will offer a true measurement of where USC’s offense and the Trojans’ running game stand in the early portion of the season. If the Trojans can ace this test in the Big House, they will know they are in position to do something special in 2024. Here’s a look at some of the photos I have taken of the USC running backs and the Trojan teammates who block for them:

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:

Trojans Wire talks about surprise breakout players for USC in 2024

Who is your USC breakout player in 2024? We gave our answers on our recent call-in show.

On our most recent Friday call-in show at the USC Voice of College Football, one of our most regular and loyal callers, Adam, called in and asked us who we thought would be breakout players the USC Trojans in 2024. Matt called for the rushing game to be opened up for “one of the unheralded running backs” to step up after getting more reps. Woody Marks may get the lion’s share of carries, but we talked about all the younger Texas-based backs such as Quinten Joyner.

We know that the four second-year wide receivers would not be a surprise at this point with all the attention they have received in the Holiday bowl, spring ball, and early in fall practices.

Two potential standouts come from a couple Trojans who have been plagued by injury during their careers. We talked about the defensive line and the transformation that former St. John Bosco standout Kobe Pepe has made inside on the defensive line. The other player discussed was Solomon Tuliaupupu getting praise from the coaching staff.

https://www.youtube.com/live/5fkgMSR9jLo?si=J7-jMzzv5seBJi4h&t=1733

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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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2024 will be different for USC’s offense beyond Milller Moss

Quinten Joyner’s role in the USC offense shows why this offense will change beyond Miller Moss.

The biggest and most obvious change in the USC football offense in 2024 is Miller Moss replacing Caleb Williams at quarterback. USC goes from a Heisman Trophy winner and likely No. 1 NFL draft pick to a guy who, though a beloved Trojan, has a lot to prove. Moss has to show he can carry one game and one performance at the Holiday Bowl into — and through — a full 2024 season. There’s no doubt that is the central storyline for the USC offense. However, it won’t be the only huge change. Quinten Joyner — according to Lincoln Riley — will likely be a big part of the 2024 Trojan offense.

Why does this represent a change? It’s because Woody Marks — a transfer from Mississippi State — is already certain to be a primary running back. USC went to the portal last year for another SEC running back, MarShawn Lloyd from South Carolina. Marks is that guy this year. Yet, if Riley is saying Quinten Joyner will be a core part of the offense, that shifts the paradigm for the Trojans.

In 2023, Lloyd was the primary running back for USC, and the other guys in the running back room did not get large amounts of touchdes. In 2022, Travis Dye got the vast majority of touches until he got hurt. Only when he went down with an injury did Austin Jones, Darwin Barlow, and others in the room get more carries. USC has had one primary (dominant) running back the past two seasons. This year, it’s going to be more of a balanced room with multiple guys getting more opportunities in a context of distributed wealth, keeping guys fresh and throwing different looks at opposing defenses. This is necessary in the rugged Big Ten. USC can’t exhaust one running back. The Trojans need multiple players who are fresh in the third and fourth quarters and can wear down opposing defenses.

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Know your 2024 USC football roster: Running Backs

USC football is Running Back U, and when Lincoln Riley’s offense is hitting on all cylinders it incorporates an consistent run game into the flow of play. Riley’s teams in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 at Oklahoma averaged more than 200 yards per …

USC football is Running Back U, and when Lincoln Riley’s offense is hitting on all cylinders it incorporates an consistent run game into the flow of play. Riley’s teams in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 at Oklahoma averaged more than 200 yards per game with guys like Kennedy Brooks, Rodney Anderson, Joe Mixon, and Samaje Perine.

This year’s running back room is full of talent and each back brings something special to the team, but it is an inexperienced group with only one back having more than 20 rushing attempts in a career. Anthony Jones Jr. is the new Trojan running backs coach. He is known for developing NFL talent in the backfield, so it will be interesting to see who will make their mark and emerge from this group in the fall.

Here is a brief look at each of the 2024 Trojan scholarship running backs with the projected pre-spring camp depth chart at the end.

USC recruiting Texas running backs has always been a winning strategy

There’s a strong Texas identity in USC’s running back room, and this is not the first time we have seen as much.

The 2024 USC Trojans’ running back group will feature just two returning lettermen from the 2023 campaign, Quinten Joyner and A’Marion Peterson. MarShawn Lloyd and Austin Jones have both moved on to the NFL. Additionally, Matt Columbo and underutilized transfer Darwin Barlow have departed via the portal to San Diego State and North Carolina, respectively.

Joyner is a 5-11, 205-pound redshirt freshman from Paige, Texas, who tallied 6.9 yards per attempt on 18 carries in 2023. He gave Trojan fans a glimpse of what they have to look forward to in his career.  Joyner looks like he’s a threat to take the ball to the house on every carry. He flashed in Week 0 when he broke off a 47-yard run for a touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans. Peterson, 6-0 and 215 pounds from Witchita Falls, Texas, was also a redshirt freshman who had only two carries on the year.  He runs with a lot of power, he hits the hole hard, and when he gets into the second level, an arm takle is not going to take him down.

Hailing from McKinney, Texas, Bryan Jackson (6-0, 240 pounds) will join fellow Trojans in forming a formidable Texas trio in USC’s running back unit. Jackson, who made his commitment to the Trojans in the spring, chose USC over several other prominent programs including Alabama, Baylor, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Texas. His size and strength make him a valuable asset to the power running game, where he is expected to provide quality depth and contribute significantly.

USC boasts a history of relying on talented running backs from the state of Texas. Remarkably, five of the top 20 running backs in USC’s prestigious lineage hail from the Lone Star State. This productive group includes Ronald Jones, Justin Davis, Delon Washington, Shawn Walters, and the legendary Ricky Bell.

Jo’Quavious Marks, a transfer from Mississippi State, will be the sole running back on the team who does not originate from Texas next season if they don’t add an additional player in the spring portal period. The coaching staff places high hopes on Marks, anticipating that his experience will provide invaluable guidance and support to the young running back room at USC.

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USC statistical leaders through six games

You probably can name one of these guys offhand.

USC nearly lost its perfect season against Arizona but survived. Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff chances ended with a loss at Louisville. Neither team is coming into their annual meeting with the best momentum. That means talent could be the game’s determining factor.

This is a perfect opportunity for the Trojans to make a statement. They’re catching the Irish when they’re fatigued and struggling. The only thing that could slow them down is the wet conditions forecast for the game, but they’re preparing for that by using water in rather interesting ways in practice. While there’s no way to tell if that will affect anything, it shows they’re not leaving anything up to chance.

As you’re about to see, there are several players responsible for the Trojans’ offense being the country’s highest scoring, not the least of whom is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback. Here he is among the top Trojans players on both sides of the ball: