Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) runs the ball ahead of Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker John Bullock (5) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

New York Giants Draft Prospect Profile: RB Jo’quavious 'Woody' Marks, USC

Originally posted on New York Giants on SI
By Nick Falato | Last updated Mar 29, 2025 10:00 AM ET

Woody Marks spent four seasons at Mississippi State before transferring to USC. He's been durable throughout his career, missing just one game in five seasons.

Jo’quavious “Woody” Marks, RB

A former four-star recruit from Carver High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was the 16th recruit from the state of Georgia and the 11th running back during the 2019 recruiting cycle.

Marks was redshirted and then played his first four seasons at Mississippi State before transferring to USC for his final – and most productive – collegiate season. He was a four-star recruit in the transfer portal, the tenth-ranked RB, and the 142nd player in the portal after the 2023 season.

Marks earned a Second-Team All-Big-10 honor in 2024 after his 1,133 rushing-yard and 321 receiving-yard season.

He averaged 3.04 yards after contact in 2024 – the highest of his career. He averaged 2.76 yards after contact throughout college, with 95 missed tackles forced. He rushed more power/gap concepts in 2024 with USC than he did over his four seasons at Mississippi State.

Strengths

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS (CFB): USC RB Woody Marks sets up USC inside Michigan’s five-yard line. #CollegeFootball #CFB

pic.twitter.com/Afxd8pHBq2
— Justin David Kish • Sports Journalist (@JustinDavidKish) September 21, 2024

Weaknesses

Summary

Woody Marks is a quality situational back with receiving upside who MUST improve his pass protection skills to earn more playing time. Marks is a good overall athlete who does a solid job behind the line of scrimmage, setting up blocks and locating tight crevices to squeeze through.

He’s a slasher with a dangerous one-cut ability and he does a great job making players look silly once up to the second level.

He lacks true breakaway speed but he’s sure-handed, agile, and only fumbled once in college. He’ll make a good second or third back to start, and his role with expand if he irons out his pass protection and gets more decisive with the football in his hand.

GRADE: 6.12

This article first appeared on New York Giants on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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