Austin Jones details how much more confident USC is compared to last year

USC running back Austin Jones believes the Trojans are in a much better place for success this season following a positive turnaround in 2022.

There was so many changes as Lincoln Riley arrived in Los Angeles, but now after he’s been in town for over a year, the preparation for his second season has USC thinking College Football Playoff. 

Speaking with the media, Jones explained just how much more confident the Trojans are at the moment compared to this time last season.

“I mean, we understand kind of where we are, especially coming off the year that we had last year,” explained Jones. “So we understand where we are, and we understand the potential that we have as a team.

“Right now, we’re kind of just honed in on the potential, working hard every single day. Just continue pushing forward, but we know where we can go.”

Moreover, Jones’ play will be a big part of getting USC to where they want to go, as he’ll likely have an expanded role in 2023.

During his first season with the Trojans, Jones logged 135 carries for 705 yards and scored six total touchdowns. His most impressive outings came in consecutive games late in the season against UCLA and Notre Dame, rushing for more than 100 yards in both contests. 

Austin will have to split time with fellow returner Darwin Barlow in the backfield, and the duo is joined by South Carolina transfer MarShawn Lloyd and two talented incoming freshmen in Quinten Joyner and A’Marion Peterson.

Jones transferred to USC last offseason after spending his first three seasons of college football at Stanford. There, the former four-star recruit rushed for 1,155 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Cardinal from 2019-2021. Heading into 2023, he is 140 yards away from eclipsing the 2,000 career rushing yard mark.

He had the opportunity to head to the NFL after last season but elected to return to Lincoln Riley’s running back room instead. Jones said he thought it was in his best interest that he returned to school and develop in the hopes of raising his pro draft stock.

Coming out of the 2019 class, Jones was a four-star recruit, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was No. 121 overall player and No. 9 running back in his class. He was also the No. 19 player out of California.

Austin Jones and the Trojans will kick their 2023 campaign off on Aug. 26 against San Jose State, and you can bet they’ll be roaring and ready to roll come time.

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this article.