New Mexico Transfer Running Back Eli Sanders Commits to USC Trojans Over Arkansas, Michigan State

The USC Trojans have landed their second commitment in the transfer portal, grabbing former New Mexico running Eli Sanders over Arkansas, Michigan State, Arizona and Virginia Tech. He will have one season of eligibility remaining.

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

The USC Trojans have landed a commitment from former New Mexico running back Eli Sanders over Arkansas, Michigan State, Virginia Tech and Arizona after he spent the last couple of days on campus. Sanders is the second player to commit to the Trojans, joining former San Jose State cornerback DJ Harvey since the transfer portal opened on Dec. 9. He was the No. 17 running back in the 247Sports Transfer Portal Rankings and will have one season of eligibility remaining.

Sanders signed with Iowa State as a three-star prospect coming out of Chandler (AZ) High School in the 2021 recruiting cycle. He spent three seasons with the Cyclones, rushing for 703 yards and four touchdowns and added 15 receptions for 135 yards and one touchdown before he transferred to New Mexico in 2024. This season he rushed for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 134 yards with the Lobos. Sanders announced on Dec. 6 that he would be entering the portal.

"Coach Lincoln Riley, coach Anthony Jones Jr. and the entire staff just made the whole experience at USC awesome," Sanders told 247Sports. "It was a family oriented atmosphere there. It's going to be close to home for me, too, just about an hour and half away from family in Oceanside. The offense is a great fit for me; I feel very comfortable running counter, going either inside or outside zone. It's perfectly fitted for my skillset."

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

Running back was a big area of need with Woody Marks headed off to the NFL following a stellar senior season. Marks carried the ball 198 times for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns. He became the first Trojans players to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark since Ronald Jones in 2017 and earned Second-Team Big-Ten honors. Marks was a consistent threat out of the backfield, and he played with a toughness and passion that resonated with the entire team.

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Redshirt freshman Quinten Joyner entered the portal when it opened on Dec. 9. Joyner carried the ball 63 times for 478 yards and three touchdowns this season. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry. The former four-star prospect in 2023 recruiting cycle possessed elite speed and had the ability to break a long run at moment. Joyner was an excellent complimentary back for Marks and stepped up throughout the season whenever his number was called. Ohio State has emerged as the favorite to land the former Trojans running back after a visit to Columbus last weekend.

"USC had two phenomenal backs last season and seeing their production, seeing how they were able to run the football, it's definitely got me excited about my fit in the scheme," Sanders told 247Sports. "It was definitely a dream school of mine growing up, going to games at the Coliseum and once I got the opportunity in the portal I knew I wanted to play for USC."

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) rushes against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Coach Lincoln Riley has looked to the portal to find his lead running back every season he has been at USC. In 2022, he signed Travis Dye from Oregon and Ausin Jones from Stanford. In 2023, it was MarShawn Lloyd from South Carolina and then Marks from Mississippi State this season. And now it will be Sanders in 2025.

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