LOS ANGELES — At the start of the media’s viewing portion for USC’s spring football practice on Tuesday, running back transfers Eli Sanders and Waymond Jordan were seen fielding kick returns.
The two newest faces to the running back room haven’t had much experience returning kicks – Sanders hasn’t returned a kick since 2022 and Jordan never logged a kick or punt return at his former stop – but USC head coach Lincoln Riley believes they’ll be able to make an impact in that facet of the game.
“We definitely could see using (Sanders). I mean, there’s no question he’s one of the best guys that we have in terms of the ball in his hands and having the ability to create explosive plays. He catches the ball very well,” Riley said. “Waymond and a handful of other guys, we’re going to toy around with this spring and see what fits, but certainly not hard to imagine Eli having a big role there.”
Sanders played three years at Iowa State, rushing for 703 yards and scoring four touchdowns in 21 games for the Cyclones.
He transferred to New Mexico in 2024 and exploded for 1,063 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 147 carries last season. His 7.2 yards per attempt was the fifth-best mark in the nation.
The redshirt senior, who will be vying for the starting running back spot along with Jordan and returning rushers Bryan Jackson and A’Marion Peterson, is looking forward to helping the team in any way he can, even if that means returning kicks.
“I want to be used anywhere on the field that I can be,” Sanders said. “So just when my number is called at any position on the field, whether it’s special teams or on offense, I’m up to do it.”
Jordan played at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas the last two years and topped the Division I JUCO ranks with 1,614 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns last season.
He was named the National Junior College Athletics Association D-I Offensive Player of the Year and helped the Blue Dragons win the 2024 NJCAA DI championship.
Like Sanders, Jordan is prepared to do whatever the coaching staff asks of him to help the team succeed.
“They asked me could I do it? And I told them, ‘Yes,’” Jordan said. “I’m just willing to do anything that will help the team. So if that’s being back there and returning kicks, I’ll do it.”
Riley is pleased with what he has seen so far.
“He’s an impressive guy, you know, he’s smooth. He’s kind of one of those guys when we watched him in junior college, it’s like he almost doesn’t look like he’s trying that hard. Obviously he is, but kind of has an effortless quality to him,” Riley said of Jordan. “Both he and Eli have a real professional mindset. They came in here for a reason and they’re both very far along in terms of the number of months that they’ve been with us.”
J’Onre Reed, who transferred in this spring after starting at center for two years at Syracuse, also played at Hutchinson Community College and was Jordan’s former teammate.
Even though Jordan redshirted the season they were teammates in Kansas, Reed already knew back then that the running back would be an impact player at the next level.
“Since he was a freshman, he came in, but he was behind like four or five guys. But throughout the spring and throughout the practices, he was still showing out,” Reed said. “He was patient and he got exactly what he wanted. … He worked hard. Fought for everything he wanted. Fought down, stayed down. That’s why he’s got the name ‘Junkyard Bulldog,’ because he’s a dog.”
FORMER TROJANS IN HAND
Several former Trojans, some of whom currently play in the NFL, visited campus Tuesday to watch practice and meet with players and staff.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock were a few of the former USC players who attended practice, as did one of St. Brown’s current teammates, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
“It just gives me confidence, you know, seeing those people,” offensive lineman DJ Wingfield said. “I have an opportunity to do it myself.”
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