USC continues to add offensive talent, lands Stanford RB transfer Austin Jones
USC is on a roll in the transfer portal and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
On Thursday, the Trojans picked up their fifth commitment in as many days from the portal when former Stanford running back Austin Jones announced his intention to transfer into the Trojan program.
Ice cold like Polar Bear Toes. #Committed #FightOn ✌️ pic.twitter.com/avv7rSQxsc
— Austin Jones❄️ (@rockwitaust) January 20, 2022
Jones is just the latest offensive weapon added by head coach Lincoln Riley and Co. as the new coaching staff looks to retool and reload the Trojan roster. So far, the Trojans have added skill talent from the portal in Washington wideout Terrell Bynun, Oklahoma wideout Mario Williams, and Colorado wideout Brenden Rice.
USC has also added Virginia offensive tackle Bobby Haskins, TCU defensive lineman Earl Barquet, Kansas State defensive lineman Tyrone Taleni, Colorado corner Mekhi Blackmon, and Oklahoma corner Latrell McCutchin.
Jones starred at Bishop O’Dowd (Calif.) in high school and was a 4-star in the 247 Composite. For the 2019 class, he was the seventh-best running back and 119th prospect overall.
In three years with the Cardinal, Jones appeared in 29 of a possible 30 games. He played immediately as a true freshman in 2019, rushing for 227 yards and a score on just 45 carries as Cameron Scarlett filled a workhorse role.
In 2020, Jones was the guy in the Cardinal backfield. He started all six of Stanford’s games, running for 550 yards and nine scores while averaging 4.4 yards a carry.
Jones saw his workload cut into for the 2021 season as he shared the backfield with Nathaniel Peat. His per-play production dipped, but he still managed 107 carries (team-high) for 378 yards and two touchdowns. The 5-foot-10, 201-pound back is also a receiving option out of the backfield; he made 67 receptions for 531 yards across his three seasons on The Farm.
He will join 5-star 2022 signee Raleek Brown as newcomers in the USC backfield for next season. USC will also get back Darwin Barlow and Brandon Campbell. Last season’s leading rusher, Keaontay Ingram, declared for the NFL Draft. USC’s No. 2 rusher, Vavae Malepeai, has exhausted his eligibility.
Perhaps there’s room for more, as USC has also been linked to Oregon transfer running back Travis Dye, a California native himself.
Jones has two years still to play.