In early May, USC running back Woody Marks was among 14 players listed by Matt Miller at ESPN as “under-the-radar” prospects for the 2025 draft. But as the offseason progresses and the 2024 season gets closer, Marks might be losing that “under-the-radar” tag and beginning the season as a major player to watch.
On Thursday, Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl took his turn to heap some praise upon Marks.
Nagy said his group was set to invite Marks to this past Senior Bowl. But when they checked in with the Mississippi State staff, they found that Marks was already set to transfer to USC and play another college season.
“When you watch Marks’ tape it’s impossible not to love the innate aggression & physical toughness he plays with,” Nagy wrote of Marks.
This could be the second year in a row a running back takes the path from the SEC through USC to the Senior Bowl and ultimately the NFL. Marshawn Lloyd did it last season in joining the Trojans out of South Carolina before performing at the Senior Bowl and then becoming a third-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 draft. Nagy and his staff were on Lloyd early, just as they are on Marks now.
In Nagy’s post about Marks on X, he posted a video highlighting Marks’ pass-protecting ability. That will be huge for the Trojans as they break in a new starting quarterback and two new starting offensive tackles.
Marks did well in that regard last season. He had 29 pass block snaps last year and his 78.7 grade by PFF was No. 22 overall among players with at least 29 snaps. Marks gave up one pressure all season. As a comparison, Austin Jones’ grade at USC last season was 58.1 and ranked No. 132. He allowed 4 pressures and 2 sacks in 51 opportunities.
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