New York Giants Draft Prospect Profile: RB Jo’quavious “Woody” Marks, USC

Woody Marks spent four seasons at Mississippi State before transferring to USC. He's been durable throughout his career, missing just one game in five seasons.

Jo’quavious “Woody” Marks, RB

Height: 5’10”
Weight: 207 lbs
Class: 5th- Year Senior
School: UCS / Miss State
Hand size: 9”
Arm length: 29 ⅛”
40-Yard Dash: 4.54s
10-Yard Split: 1.57s
Vertical Jump: 35”
Broad Jump: 9’11”
20- Yard Shuttle: 4.24s
Bench press: 18 reps
STATS

A former four-star recruit from Carver High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was the 16th recruit from the state of Georgia and the 11th running back during the 2019 recruiting cycle.

Marks was redshirted and then played his first four seasons at Mississippi State before transferring to USC for his final – and most productive – collegiate season. He was a four-star recruit in the transfer portal, the tenth-ranked RB, and the 142nd player in the portal after the 2023 season.

Marks earned a Second-Team All-Big-10 honor in 2024 after his 1,133 rushing-yard and 321 receiving-yard season.

He averaged 3.04 yards after contact in 2024 – the highest of his career. He averaged 2.76 yards after contact throughout college, with 95 missed tackles forced. He rushed more power/gap concepts in 2024 with USC than he did over his four seasons at Mississippi State.

Strengths

Solid weight for his height
Slashing one-cut runner
Good speed and solid second gear
Good burst through the hole
Quick accelerator into space
Very good athlete with sudden change of direction
Excellent lateral agility and immediate one-cut ability
Gets low into his jukes – very quick feet
Good ability to make players miss in a phone booth
Excellent upper body fakes with juke
Solid ability to use tempo/patience behind LOS
Successful judgement/timing in power/gap (counter)
Does solid job to press the LOS and help set blocks up
Very controlled and balanced in space with spin move
Very good receiving back with excellent production
Reliable hands and ability to adjust
Only had one fumble in his college career

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS (CFB): USC RB Woody Marks sets up USC inside Michigan’s five-yard line. #CollegeFootball #CFB

pic.twitter.com/Afxd8pHBq2
— Justin David Kish • Sports Journalist (@JustinDavidKish) September 21, 2024

Weaknesses

Looks small – thinner lower half
Good speed but not game-breaking
Dragged down by arm tackles too frequently
Won’t break many tackles
Short back who still runs high too frequently
Won’t push any piles – lacks true three-down value
Not an asset in pass protection
Will get in the way but has little anchor ability in pass protection
Older prospect – will be 25 during his rookie season (December 29th)

Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California running back Woody Marks (RB21) talks to the press during the 2025 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. | Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images

Summary

Woody Marks is a quality situational back with receiving upside who MUST improve his pass protection skills to earn more playing time. Marks is a good overall athlete who does a solid job behind the line of scrimmage, setting up blocks and locating tight crevices to squeeze through.

He’s a slasher with a dangerous one-cut ability and he does a great job making players look silly once up to the second level.

He lacks true breakaway speed but he’s sure-handed, agile, and only fumbled once in college. He’ll make a good second or third back to start, and his role with expand if he irons out his pass protection and gets more decisive with the football in his hand.

GRADE: 6.12

Nick Falato's Draft Grade Chart | Nick Falato

Jo’quavious “Woody” Marks, RB

Strengths

Weaknesses

Summary

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