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USC running back Quinten Joyner to enter the NCAA transfer portal

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney12/09/24ErikTMcKinney
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(acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

Another talented offensive weapon is leaving Lincoln Riley’s USC offense as second-year running back Quinten Joyner announced Monday he will enter the NCAA transfer portal.

The 5-foot-11, 216-pound Joyner had some highlight-reel plays in his two seasons with the Trojans. This season, he rushed 63 times for 478 yards and three touchdowns, and caught 12 passes for 89 yards and another score. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry and had a 75-yard touchdown run against Penn State.

Joyner was a tough runner and has 23 missed tackles forced in just those 63 carries this season. He led the Trojans with an average of 4.5 yards after contact.

USC leaned heavily on veteran running back Woody Marks this season, who took 599 snaps compared to 210 for Joyner. Riley was asked during the season about that snap disparity and he said it was often difficult to take Marks off the field because he was playing so well.

Joyner did have some deficiencies in pass protection and ball security, but he was phenomenal as a pure runner. He almost never went down on first contact and had a knack for pushing the pile forward on his own.

Joyner will be one of the more sought-after backs in the transfer portal and leaves USC with a gaping hole at the top of the running back depth charge when his departure is combined with Marks running out of eligibility.

The Trojans did sign two running backs in the 2025 class, but right now the Trojans’ most prolific back is Bryan Jackson, who just finished his true freshman season with 20 carries fo 122 yards.

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Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

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