Lincoln Riley confirms USC will start Waymond Jordan at running back

Lincoln Riley expects that this could be his set of running backs in his time so far in Los Angeles. However, as for their starter in the backfield, Riley says it’ll likely be RB Waymond Jordan out first for the Trojans.

Riley revealed Jordan as the likely starting running back for USC during ‘Trojans Live’ on Monday. That’s with the college experience he brings with him after transferring in following his underclassman seasons at Hutchinson Community College.

“Yeah, I think it’ll unfold a little bit as the season goes on,” Riley said of their running back room. “I think, you know, Waymond Jordan will be the guy that trots out there first. I think he’s been the most consistent and the most, I think you’d probably say well-rounded back.

“Waymond has been really productive. We’re eager to see him, you know. There’s a lot of production at the college level already that this guy’s had.”

Jordan arrives after a two-year career at Hutchinson, where he posted 245 carries for 1,816 yards and 22 touchdowns in rushing. Most of that came last season where Jordan, in winning NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year and being a NJCAA First Team All-American as one of the best players at the level, had 218 carries for 1,614 yards, averaging 134.5 per game and 7.4 a touch, and 20 touchdowns. That led the level in yards, yards per game, and touchdowns, as he helped carry the Blue Dragons to a national title in NJCAA DI. With that, Jordan was the No. 12 overall prospect and No. 1 RB per Rivals’ 2025 Industry JUCO Recruits, as he’d commit to Southern Cal over other offers and interest, including several at the power level, in the FBS.

Jordan is set to be the starting back for the Trojans per Riley. That said, USC, while not knowing what everyone fully is yet without being live and in-game, has other options in the backfield as Riley went on to name four others who could contribute for them with another veteran transfer, a pair of sophomores, and an incoming four-star freshman.

“Obviously, you know, we’re excited to see those guys live, you know,” said Riley. “In this modern day of football, whether NFL or college? You just, you don’t have the opportunities to go live nearly as much as we all used to. And so, you know, obviously, at that position, that’s probably the toughest one to evaluate without going live offensively, so.

“You know, Eli Sanders, I think, has had one of the strongest training camps of any player at any position. He had a good spring but he has had a great training camp. So, I think his experience, his explosiveness is definitely going to factor in for us. And then I think, you know, Brian Jackson, obviously, returning is a big deal. You know, everybody has seen the power, the size and I think he really adds that to this room. And then, I think the two guys that maybe are a little bit of X-factors in the room? You know, King Miller has just continued to impress. I think his yards per carry in our practices is the highest of anybody in the room. It just feels like he rips off a big run or two almost every single day. And then we’ll see how it plays out with Harry Dalton. I mean, Harry, you know, is certainly one of, if not the most physically gifted back in the room. He’s a young guy that’s, you know, trying to figure it out and is learning but has some high upside as well.”

Riley has noted this position group during fall camp as one where a depth chart is still to be determined. Even so, he has high expectations for this collection of backs, thinking they could be his best one altogether since arriving in LA.

“So, yeah. I think, you know, I’m pretty excited about the room,” said Riley. “We’ve had some good rooms, as you referenced. I’ll put it this way. I’ll be disappointed if it’s not the best room that we’ve had since we’ve been at ‘SC.”