LOS ANGELES — The running back competition was kept quiet throughout USC fall camp, yet transfer Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks has “asserted” himself as the starting tailback.
Spending four years at Mississippi State, Marks was a dual-threat running back. Mark’s versatility gives quarterback Miller Moss another weapon out of the backfield. On the ground, Marks displays excellent balance, a second-level speed, and the ability to absorb contact as a runner. Marks averaged 4.7 yards per carry on 121 attempts in his junior season.
However, Marks made a name for himself at Mississippi State as a pass catcher, setting multiple program records. In 45 career games at Mississippi, Marks caught a pass in every game, setting a program record for the longest reception streak by a running back. His soft hands led to a career total and program record of 214 receptions as a running back.
At USC fall camp, the competition came down to Marks and redshirt freshman Quinten Joyner. Marks's versatility won him the job. With a less experienced quarterback like Miller Moss, Marks provides a safety blanket out of the backfield.
While Marks won the job over Joyner, the competition in the running back room pushed Marks to be his best every practice.
“Just coming out knowing those guys are going to work and go 110 miles… that makes me work hard every day,” Marks said. “I want to be great every day.”
Setting the tone
Redshirt senior left guard Emmanuel Pregnon stands at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. Growing up, Pregnon stood out among his peers because of his size and felt penalized for it as a kid. The restrictions at a young age angered Pregnon but led him to channel the anger into sports.
At first, Pregnon tried to utilize his size on the basketball court. The basketball dreams didn’t last very long after the countless offensive fouls he received. However, it became a blessing in disguise, allowing Pregnon to find his passion in football.
Pregnon is a natural-born guard, having switched from the right to left side since arriving from Wyoming last offseason. In 2023 with USC, he was a mainstay on the offensive line, starting 12 games as a left guard. Regardless of what side he is on, Pregnon looks to dominate every time he gets in his stance.
“[Football is] the one sport I wasn’t being penalized for using my tenacity, aggression, force and power,” Pregnon said.
Adapting to change
The coaching changes within USC’s program this offseason were sure to bring growing pains, but coach Lincoln Riley feels the team has adapted quickly. Riley made it evident in his offseason coaching hires that a culture shift was needed from their defensive coordinator to position coaches.
With a wholly revamped defensive staff featuring newcomers D’Anton Lynn (defensive coordinator), Matt Entz (linebacker coach), and Eric Henderson (defensive line coach), Riley has been impressed with the coaches' ability to mesh so quickly.
Yet Riley’s credit doesn’t just fall to the coaching staff but also to the players themselves, particularly the defense, which has similarly seen many new faces enter the building. Throughout camp, the players' rapid ability to learn and immerse themselves in a new playbook and scheme has grown the coaches' confidence heading into week one.
“I watch us, and I don't feel like I'm watching a group that's only been doing this for a few months together,” Riley said. “It's been a pretty consistent feeling ever since we hit the field with this group of coaches and in this particular scheme.”