In-state Baylor rival loses a significant piece of team ahead of 2025 season
Baylor's in-state and Big 12 rival, Texas Tech, received terrible news on Monday. According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, the Red Raiders are fearful that they lost one of the biggest pieces to their 2025 team. Former USC RB Quinten Joyner's season is likely over after suffering a knee injury.
Joyner, who played second fiddle to Woody Marks in 2024 for the Trojans, was expected to lead the Texas Tech running back room this season. Last year, with USC, Joyner ran for nearly 500 yards and scored three times on the ground. He also caught 12 passes, and would've been featured in the Red Raiders' high-profile passing attack.
A popular story this offseason was about how much NIL money the Red Raiders spent on the transfer portal. Joyner was one of those players, who had other options, that chose to head to Texas Tech.
Texas Tech standout running back Quinten Joyner is feared to have suffered a season-ending knee injury, sources tell me and @RJ_cfb for @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) August 18, 2025
Tough blow for No. 23 Tech. Joyner, who ran for 478 yards last year at USC, was one of the top ranked portal running backs. pic.twitter.com/jqRMESKCpH
Baylor doesn't play Texas Tech in 2025, but the two teams have a chance to meet one another in the Big 12 Championship. Both teams have high expectations entering 2025. Texas Tech returns several veterans -- as does Baylor.
But will this roadblock affect Texas Tech this season? It definitely puts a damper with just under two weeks until Week 1 is underway.
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Trent is the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI and also serves as the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines on SI. His work has additionally been featured on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.