RB Eli Sanders Commits to USC
USC welcomed transfer portal running back Eli Sanders this week and that visit led to a verbal commitment from the former New Mexico Lobo.
Sanders (6-0, 190) is originally of Chandler (AZ). He previously spent three seasons with Iowa State (2021-23), spending the 2024 season with the Lobos. Sanders logged 1,063 yards with nine touchdowns in 2024.
The running back also had 15 receptions for 134 yards on the season. He has 1,766 career yards on 305 carries, tallying 13 career touchdowns.
PFF Numbers for Latest USC commit Eli Sanders
Sanders rushed for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns for New Mexico in 2024, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. He also caught 15 passes for 134 yards.
In four years split between Iowa State and New Mexico, Sanders has 305 carries for 1,766 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 30 receptions for 269 yards and another score. He’s fumbled once in his college career.
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His PFF overall and run grades have improved each of his four years in college, hitting a run-grade high of 83.9 this season. That’s just a tick below the 84.1 posted by Woody Marks for the Trojans this year.
He was elusive, forcing 38 missed tackles in 147 attempts and averaging 3.55 yards after contact. By comparison, Marks forced 34 missed tackles in 198 attempts and averaged 3.04 yards after contact. Sanders also had 18 runs of 15 yards or more compared to 19 for Marks.
The latest USC commit Sanders also proved himself as a pass blocker for the Lobos. He allowed just one quarterback pressure in 47 pass block opportunities this season and has given up just two pressures in 67 opportunities in his career. The 73.3 PFF pass-block grade this season was good for No. 29 among all backs and nearly 30 points higher than what Marks posted as the Trojans’ top grade among backs.
