USC Trojans running back Woody Marks is one of three athletes from the Trojans taking part in the NFL Combine. Before engaging in the workouts on Saturday, he spoke with the media.
When asked by Florida State on SI reporter Logan B. Robinson about his meeting with the Washington Commanders, Marks responded, “It was wonderful. I had the chance to meet with several coaches, including the running back coach.It was nice to chat with them, especially since we had already talked at the Senior Bowl.”
#USC RB Woody Marks is way too low on draft boards — Runs with good lateral agility, quickness, vision and contact balance. He was a bellcow for the Trojans.
Great receiving threat out of the backfield. Will be a mid-round steal for some NFL team. pic.twitter.com/hsaZMlUqO6
— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) January 29, 2025
Will Washington bring Marks onto their roster to join Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniel in the backfield?Marks was also asked which NFL quarterback he would choose to receive passes from, and he selected Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Standing at 5-10 and weighing 208 pounds, Marks completed his final season with the Trojans. Prior to transferring to USC, he was a starter in the SEC at Mississippi State. This past season, Marks had a standout year at USC, recording a career-high 1,133 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 47 receptions, and 321 receiving yards.
In 2024, he achieved a career-long touchdown run of 65 yards and a longest reception of 33 yards. Marks delivered one of the best single-season performances in Trojan history, becoming the first running back since Ronald Jones II in 2017 to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season. He was named second-team All-Big-Ten, finishing among the top five in the conference for rushing yards.
Woody Marks was fantastic. We weren’t sure if he would be able to play since he had a minor injury, but he really battled through it for us. We’re excited to have him for the next several games, as he is showing he’s going to be an outstanding professional once his time here is done,” remarked USC coach Lincoln Riley in his postgame interview with FOX after Marks achieved a career-high of 148 rushing yards against Nebraska.
“He has shown great consistency and has been remarkable. We weren’t entirely certain he would participate, yet he performed exceptionally well. We also dealt with a flu outbreak, which came at a bad time since the weather has been so nice. Several players pushed through not feeling their best, but Woody has remained steady and tough, displaying impressive physical running,” added Riley following the Nebraska game.
Marks is a strong, agile running back with great vision, patience, and explosive speed that allows him to break off big runs. He runs effectively with power and is also a significant asset in the passing game. During his time at Mississippi State, Marks recorded 83 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns.
If you want a RB who can improve the pass game…
Day 2: Omarion Hampton/TreVeyon Henderson/Jaydon Blue/Trevor Etienne
Day 3: Cam Skattebo/Bhayshul Tuten/Brashard Smith/LeQuint Allen/Mario Anderson Jr./Woody Marks
And I'm probably forgetting a few! Can't wait to watch the RBs…
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 23, 2025
While he can block reasonably well, there’s room for improvement in that area. A fitting NFL comparison would be Kyren Williams of the Los Angeles Rams.
There hasn’t been much buzz connecting Marks to any particular team, but that is likely to change following the NFL Combine. A standout performance could significantly boost his draft stock and attract more attention, potentially resulting in top-30 visits from NFL teams, which are typically reserved for players that franchises are genuinely interested in.
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