Tag: Quinten Joyner

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:

Quinten Joyner and MarShawn Lloyd star for USC offense in spring game

The running backs were, according to most #USC analysts, the most impressive position group in the spring game.

The USC Trojans’ offense is loaded with talent. Arguably, the running back room could be one of the best in the entire country.

Quinten Joyner and MarShawn Lloyd both came to USC to join Austin Jones, and the spring game on Saturday was a prime example of how dangerous this group will be in 2023.

The receivers dropped some passes on the day, but the running backs stole the attention. Both Joyner and Lloyd flashed explosiveness and the ability to win 1-on-1 matchups. They and Jones might have opposing defensive coordinators pulling out their hair this fall.

Joyner ran in a touchdown on the afternoon.

On the flip side, MarShawn Lloyd made all sorts of highlights with an impressive run, dipping below and dodging defenders left and right.

Raleek Brown is also on the roster, but the Trojans reportedly plan to move him around a bit and use him in different formations, including the slot. Jones, Joyner, and Lloyd will be tough to stop. This group is one of the best in the country.

With Caleb Williams under center, these running backs doing work, and a talented wide receiver core blessed with speed, the Trojans’ offense is legitimately formidable.

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The key asset of 4-star RB Quinten Joyner for USC: balance

If Raleek Brown is all about speed on the edges, Quinten Joyner is the sledgehammer between the tackles. #USC fans should love this power-based workhorse.

Quinten Joyner carries a significant benefit — and the ball — to USC: balance.

That word is the theme here, the central reason Joyner figures to improve the Trojans in the coming years.

The Texas native rushed for 1,794 yards on 196 carries (9.2 avg.) for 25 TDs and caught 5 passes for 73 yards while playing running back for Manor HS (Texas).

He is a very physical runner who keeps his legs churning on contact. He rarely goes down on the first hit.

Joyner is a traditional power-work horseback with good speed, a ton of natural instincts in the running game (both inside and outside), and a solid feel for the passing game.

The strengths of his game go well with Raleek Brown and Darwin Barlow next year, to give the Trojans a little bit of everything in the backfield.

Joyner received offers from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Syracuse, Oregon, Rice, Louisville, Nebraska, SMU, Indiana, Penn State, Purdue, Oklahoma State, Houston and Texas A&M, among others. Ultimately, he sided with the Trojans.

Joyner joins a talented running back room with three established tailbacks: Darwin Barlow (senior), Austin Jones (senior), and Raleek Brown (sophomore), plus another incoming 2023 signee, A’Marion Peterson, who is also from Texas.

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