Austin Jones, MarShawn Lloyd will both have roles in USC offense

Lincoln Riley shared Austin Jones and MarShawn Lloyd will both have roles in USC’s offense, but didn’t reveal exactly how he’ll use both running backs.

That was left up for interpretation and a surprise for Saturday’s season opening game against San Jose State. Jones and Lloyd will replace Travis Dye, who was the lead ball carrier last season.

While Caleb Williams runs the offense in the passing game, Riley indicated how big the running game will be this season.

“We have a great idea of how we’re going to do it, but that wouldn’t be something that I would share publicly,” Riley said. “So, they’re both good players, both gonna have roles for us, as are some of the other backs in that room. It’s a really good room and (there are) a lot of guys that we want to play and get involved. And so, tune in Saturday.”

Jones has plenty of college football experience, playing three years at Stanford before transferring to USC in 2022. Last season, under Riley, Jones had 135 carries for 705 yards, five touchdowns, 5.2 yards per carry and had 25 catches, 267 yards and one touchdown reception.

Over the course of his career, Jones had 413 carries, 1,860 yards, 17 touchdowns, 4.5 yards per carry, as well as 92 catches, 798 yards and two touchdown receptions.

As a member of the Class of 2019, Jones was a four-star recruit out of Oakland (Calif) Bishop O’Dowd, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 19 overall prospect in the state, the No. 9 running back in the class and the No. 121 overall prospect in the class.

In addition to Jones, Lloyd will be key to the USC offense. The South Carolina transfer played 21 games over the last two seasons with the Gamecocks.

Last year, he had 111 carries for 573 yards, nine touchdowns, 5.2 yards per carry, 18 catches, 176 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. In his career, Lloyd has 175 carries, 801 yards, 10 touchdowns, 4.6 yards per carry, 21 catches, 220 yards and two touchdown receptions.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Lloyd was a four-star recruit out of Hyattsville (M.D.) DeMatha Catholic, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 4 overall prospect in the state, the No. 5 running back in the class and the No. 46 overall prospect in the class.

Jones and Lloyd should put on a show against San Jose State and USC seems like it has a pair of dynamic running backs in 2023.