USC Running Back Makes Major NIL Announcement on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ryan Harris | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 8:18 PM ET

The USC Trojans' 2025 college football recruiting class was one of the best in the country, ranking No. 15 nationally according to On3.

Headlined by five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet, they also signed the No. 1 junior college running back in the country Waymond Jordan.

After winning the NJCAA D1 Football Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, Jordan makes his way to one of the most prestigious schools in the country to continue his football career. He ran for 1,614 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games, both of which led the nation.

On Monday, the top-ranked running back signed a massive NIL deal, where he is officially an athlete under C4 Energy.

C4 Energy has recently had some big names in college football sign NIL deals with them, most notably former Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers as well as current Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch.

The first big move for Jordan, the No. 12 ranked junior college player in the 2025 recruiting cycle, as he prepares for his jump to Big Ten football.

Head coach Lincoln Riley looks to improve on what was a disappointing season for the Trojans' standards. Finishing with a 7-6 record in their first season in a new and difficult Big Ten leaves USC lots of room for improvement, and could use the explosiveness of Jordan.

The likely starting running back, as he and New Mexico Lobos transfer Eli Sanders will be their top two backs, will look to relieve the pressure off quarterback Jayden Maiava, and a solid wide receiver core to help him as well.

Boise State transfer Prince Strachan is a tall, physical receiver who can win 50/50 balls downfield, and returning receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon look to improve on solid campaigns in 2024.

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

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