USC Trojans Running Back Eli Sanders Turning Heads in Fall Camp

After rushing for 1,000 yards in 2024 with the New Mexico Lobos, running back Eli Sanders comes to the USC Trojans with high expectations and he's already showing through fall camp that he has the potential to be a star running back for the Trojans.

Sep 14, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; New Mexico Lobos running back Eli Sanders (6) carries against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images | John Reed-Imagn Images

USC's football team enters the 2025 season with high expectations in the fourth year under coach Lincoln Riley. The Trojans are expected to have a talented offense, with additions from the transfer portal and key returners, including new starting quarterback Jayden Maiava.

USC also has impactful returns at the wide receiver position, including wideouts Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane. There's no denying that the Trojans' offense will be a tough out for opposing Big Ten defenses this season.

While Maiava and the wide receivers are expected to be the main focus of USC's team heading into the 2025 season, Trojans running back Eli Sanders will have a major impact on the success of the offense this year.

How Can Sanders Help USC's Offense This Season

Aug 31, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Jacob Manu (5) and Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) fail to tackle New Mexico Lobos running back Eli Sanders (6) during third quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Sanders comes to USC set to join a Trojans backfield that features sophomore Bryan Jackson and Hutchinson Community College transfer junior running back Waymond Jordan. These two running backs, along with Sanders, will have a significant impact on USC's rushing attack after the key losses from last season.

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Key running back departures for the Trojans this offseason include Quinten Joyner, who transferred to Texas Tech, and Woody Marks was drafted by the Houston Texans with the 116th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Sanders has the potential to be one of the top running backs on USC's roster this season and has shown great progress throughout the Trojans' fall camp, according to coach Lincoln Riley.

"He's probably the most explosive running back in the room," Riley said.

With Riley's coaching job on the line this season after back-to-back disappointing years that featured five plus losses, an explosive offense will go a long way into having a sucsessful season. USC finished with a 7-6 record last season in their first year in the Big Ten, which included going 4-5 in conference play.

Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Along with Sanders explosiveness as a running back, Jackson will also have a critical role in the Trojans' backfield this season. Jackson recorded 188 yards and 36 carries with one touchdown, averaging 5.2 per carry.

Jackson will have a much bigger role in the Trojans backfield this season after the key offseason departures and could have a breakout season for USC.

Eli Sanders College Career Before Joining The Trojans

Iowa State Cyclones running back Eli Sanders (6) drives for a scoring touchdown as Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) defends during the third quarter in the Big-12 football showdown at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK

Before transferring to the Trojans this offseason, Sanders played three seasons with Iowa State and one with New Mexico. In his three seasons with Iowa State, Sanders was impressive in the Cyclones' backfield.

Sanders saw minimal time in Iowa State's backfield in his first two seasons, with his main production coming in 2023. In 2023, Sanders rushed for 477 yards and four touchdowns on 102 carries.

Sanders spent one season in New Mexico, where he ranked top five in the Mountain West Conference in rushing with 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns on 147 carries.