Ex-USC Playmaker Ruled Out for the College Football Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 2:13 PM ET

The college football season kicks off this week on Saturday. Many fans have been waiting the whole summer for this day, but things look grim for the Texas Tech Red Raiders fans.

Their running back, Quinten Joyner, has suffered an injury that puts him out of the team for the entire college football season. He has torn his ACL, per Pete Nakos of On3.

Joyner played for the USC Trojans last season, acting as a reserve to their main man, Woody Marks. He rushed for 478 yards in 63 attempts, scoring three times.

He was a projected starter for Texas Tech who will open against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. His loss at this stage will definitely shake things up in the offense.

"I hate it so much for him, just because of how well he has done in the spring, summer and camp," coach Joey McGuire said on his podcast. "He has really come in here and been a pro, and we've asked him to do a lot of stuff that he hasn't done before. ... He's really taken to it, so it's unfortunate."

The sophomore went down during a scrimmage at Jones AT&T Stadium. It was a completely non-contact injury, as revealed by McGuire.

NEWS: Texas Tech RB Quinten Joyner has torn his ACL, @PeteNakos_ reports.

The USC transfer will miss the 2025 season. https://t.co/0LB01Xz1b0 pic.twitter.com/NVWQfLFZQr
— On3 (@On3sports) August 18, 2025

The Red Raiders are one of the favorites to win the Big 12 this season. Keen eyes are also on Deion Sanders' Colorado, but without two of their aces from last season, fans expect nothing impressive from the Buffaloes.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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