MarShawn Lloyd did his homework when it came to the USC offense he was looking into joining.

College football fans hear a coach runs an Air Raid scheme and assume the run game is nonexistent. With Lincoln Riley hailing from the Mike Leach tree and now coaching a trio of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, it would be easy to think his scheme is all about the pass game.

But you turn on the tape and see something different from Riley. Running backs flourish. The former South Carolina tailback saw that right away.

“Even all his Heisman quarterbacks, you see who was next to them, (Riley) had some really good running backs,” Lloyd said. “It’s super cool to be in this offense.”

Caleb Williams won the Heisman last year. Next to him in the backfield was an 884-yard rusher in Travis Dye and a 705-yard rusher in Austin Jones. Had Dye not gotten injured, he was on pace for a 1,000-yard season.

In 2021, Riley had a 1,253-yard rusher next to Williams. (And Spencer Rattler.)

In 2020, Riley’s leading rusher averaged 110 yards a game in six appearances.

In 2019,  Heisman finalist Jalen Hurts ran for 1,298 yards while his tailback ran for 1,011.

In 2018, Heisman winner Kyler Murray ran for 1,001 yards while his tailback ran for 1,056.

In 2017, Heisman winner Baker Mayfield handed off to a 1,161-yard rusher and a 744-yard rusher and a 542-yard rusher.

This offense is designed to run. And Lloyd is excited to showcase what he can do after flashing for 573 yards and nine touchdowns for South Carolina last season. Lloyd makes defenders miss. Asked what he brings to the running back room, Lloyd highlighted his elusiveness.

“Being able to make different cuts and get down the field and be able to show my breakaway speed,” Lloyd said.

He has all-conference potential, particularly in this USC offense, but he hasn’t even won the outright RB1 job. Jones is back and pushing for more in 2023. The competition is close, and Lloyd and Jones have grown close, too.

“It’s amazing having someone who can push you each and every day,” Lloyd said. “I’ve learned a lot from Austin. He’s a great player, a physical running back. And that’s what I’m learning from him.”