Aaron Heisen (OC Register)  —  LOS ANGELES — Woody Marks could run through the tackles, he could catch passes and turn upfield to make a play. He was capable of being a three-down running back. He just wasn’t in a system that called for that.

Rather, at Mississippi State, where he played the first four years of his college career, Marks was asked to protect his quarterback, to chip linebackers and then become a safety valve, and to run as a way that helped open up the passing game.

So, for his fifth and final year of eligibility, he transferred to USC, hoping to showcase his ability to be a bell cow. And he did just that, solidifying himself in the NFL Draft conversation.

But, with the draft right around the corner, Marks’ intangibles are becoming relevant again. His willingness to block and his sure-handedness separate him from his peers. And leaning into those things will help him find footing in the NFL.

“He’s got a really good reputation as a worker,” one NFL scout told the Southern California News Group. “He’s got a good reputation for being able to block. He’s got a good reputation for ball security. He’s got a good reputation for using his hands.”

Marks built that reputation through four years of loyalty and dedication at Mississippi State, and carried it onto USC. Justifiably, his fifth year in college was about him, his opportunity to show what he could do with the ball in his hands.

He rushed for 1,133 yards on 5.7 yards per carry, while hauling in 47 receptions. As the Trojans sputtered to a 7-6 record, and dealt with change at the quarterback position, Marks became their most consistent form of offense.

“That offense (at USC), they don’t want to run the ball, they want to throw the ball,” the NFL scout said. “When you’re at a school that’s constantly in these games — and they want to throw the ball, and they needed to catch up, and this guy still ran for 1,000 yards — in a normal situation, he could have gotten 1,400.”

Marks didn’t let circumstances define him or affect his play. That willingness to adapt and fit into multiple systems will serve him in the NFL. At 5-foot-10, 207 pounds, he’s built like a prototypical NFL running back, however, his 4.54 40-yard dash at the NFL combine left a bit to be desired in the speed category.

Many NFL offenses employ outside-zone run schemes, which derived from the Shanahan tree of coaching. Marks doesn’t exactly fit that prototype because of his lack of speed. Therefore, playing into his strengths as a blocker and pass-catcher will get him on the field and give him the opportunity to prove that he deserves carries in the NFL.

Most NFL running backs aren’t carrying the ball more than 15 times a game — like Marks did at USC — anyways. Those that prolong their careers bring something to the table that sets them apart. Marks can offer a team a durable, fundamental, and reliable option at running back.

“The way that he approaches the game is really good,” USC running backs coach Anthony Jones Jr. said. “To see the way he took care of his body, to see how he studied film and took it to the field; all of that will translate to the NFL.”

Whether Marks hears his name called on Friday during Rounds 2-4 or Saturday during Rounds 5-7 doesn’t matter much. He’ll take that opportunity, carry his desirable attributes into it, and approach it like he has every chance to play football: with a willingness to adapt to the team that selects him.

ocregister.com

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