New RBs Eli Sanders, Waymond Jordan bring a tough “professional mindset” to USC
Both newcomers, who are vying for the starting job with returning players Bryan Jackson and A’Marion Peterson, are open to the idea of returning kicks
USC RB Waymond Jordan looks to catch a pass during an early USC spring practice session. (Photo by David Crane, LADN/SCNG)
Dan Lovi (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — At the start of the media’s viewing portion for USC’s spring football practice on Tuesday, running back transfers Eli Sanders and Waymond Jordan were seen fielding kick returns.
The two newest faces to the running back room haven’t had much experience returning kicks – Sanders hasn’t returned a kick since 2022 and Jordan never logged a kick or punt return at his former stop – but USC head coach Lincoln Riley believes they’ll be able to make an impact in that facet of the game.
“We definitely could see using (Sanders). I mean, there’s no question he’s one of the best guys that we have in terms of the ball in his hands and having the ability to create explosive plays. He catches the ball very well,” Riley said. “Waymond and a handful of other guys, we’re going to toy around with this spring and see what fits, but certainly not hard to imagine Eli having a big role there.”
Sanders played three years at Iowa State, rushing for 703 yards and scoring four touchdowns in 21 games for the Cyclones.
He transferred to New Mexico in 2024 and exploded for 1,063 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 147 carries last season. His 7.2 yards per attempt was the fifth-best mark in the nation.
The redshirt senior, who will be vying for the starting running back spot along with Jordan and returning rushers Bryan Jackson and A’Marion Peterson, is looking forward to helping the team in any way he can, even if that means returning kicks.
“I want to be used anywhere on the field that I can be,” Sanders said. “So just when my number is called at any position on the field, whether it’s special teams or on offense, I’m up to do it.”
Jordan played at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas the last two years and topped the Division I JUCO ranks with 1,614 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
He was named the National Junior College Athletics Association D-I Offensive Player of the Year and helped the Blue Dragons win the 2024 NJCAA DI championship.
Like Sanders, Jordan is prepared to do whatever the coaching staff asks of him to help the team succeed.
“They asked me could I do it? And I told them, ‘Yes,’” Jordan said. “I’m just willing to do anything that will help the team. So if that’s being back there and returning kicks, I’ll do it.”
Riley is pleased with what he has seen so far.
“He’s an impressive guy, you know, he’s smooth. He’s kind of one of those guys when we watched him in junior college, it’s like he almost doesn’t look like he’s trying that hard. Obviously he is, but kind of has an effortless quality to him,” Riley said of Jordan. “Both he and Eli have a real professional mindset. They came in here for a reason and they’re both very far along in terms of the number of months that they’ve been with us.”
J’Onre Reed (50; 6-3, 320), who transferred in this spring after starting at center for two years at Syracuse, also played at Hutchinson Community College and was Jordan’s former teammate.
Even though Jordan redshirted the season they were teammates in Kansas, Reed already knew back then that the running back would be an impact player at the next level.
“Since he was a freshman, he came in, but he was behind like four or five guys. But throughout the spring and throughout the practices, he was still showing out,” Reed said. “He was patient and he got exactly what he wanted. … He worked hard. Fought for everything he wanted. Fought down, stayed down. That’s why he’s got the name ‘Junkyard Bulldog,’ because he’s a dog.”
FORMER TROJANS ON HAND
Several former Trojans, some of whom currently play in the NFL, visited campus Tuesday to watch practice and meet with players and staff.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock were a few of the former USC players who attended practice, as did one of St. Brown’s current teammates, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
“It just gives me confidence, you know, seeing those people,” offensive lineman DJ Wingfield said. “I have an opportunity to do it myself.”
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AW, you’ve been busy lately updating us on our latest big time commitment(s). Sitting back and watching this unfold with Bowden (magic man) steering this ship is nothing short of amazing. I bet the house he has a strategy on minimizing decommits, which one could argue is equally as important given the wacky world of CFB these days. I’ll check back in an hour to see the next big catch ( probably from CA ).
I have noticed different names writing for the SCNG and USC. I had to look it up but just found out Luca Evans left for Denver as the Bronco’s beat writer. I guess I haven’t been paying attention lately.
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USC RB A’Marion Peterson to enter transfer portal during spring window
Mike Roach (USCFootball.com) — The former four-star recruit is back on the market as USC RB A’Marion Peterson is set to enter the 2025 college football transfer portal during the spring window.
247sports.com
That was something to be expected with the additions that they have brought in.
USC standout freshman Avery Howell enters NCAA transfer portal Erik McKinney (WeAreSC) — The USC women’s basketball program was dealt another in a string of recent losses as standout freshman Avery Howell entered the NCAA transfer portal, per On3’s Talia Goodman. The 6-foot guard from Boise, Idaho pushed her way into the lineup as a true freshman. She finished sixth on the team in minutes per game and fifth on the team in scoring, averaging 7.5 points per game. Howell was impressive during USC’s NCAA Tournament run, posting back-to-back games with 18 points in wins against Mississippi State and Kansas State. Howell was… Read more »
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AW, you’ve been busy lately updating us on our latest big time commitment(s). Sitting back and watching this unfold with Bowden (magic man) steering this ship is nothing short of amazing. I bet the house he has a strategy on minimizing decommits, which one could argue is equally as important given the wacky world of CFB these days. I’ll check back in an hour to see the next big catch ( probably from CA ).
I have noticed different names writing for the SCNG and USC. I had to look it up but just found out Luca Evans left for Denver as the Bronco’s beat writer. I guess I haven’t been paying attention lately.
Luca Evans (the writer who LR tried to ban from USC practices) was awesome.
I figured he’d have some other big media opportunities and I was wondering where he had split to.
Thanks for the info on his landing spot RT. Good luck to you Luca. You had a real flair and an incisive approach as USC’s beat writer.
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