USC running back MarShawn Lloyd declared for the NFL Draft on Sunday. In a message shared on social media, he said it was time to chase his lifelong dream.

“To my Gamecocks family, thank you for your continuous love and support,” Lloyd wrote on Instagram. “To my teammates and USC family, thank you for welcoming me with open arms. The love that I have been shown in such a short period of time has made me feel at home and will be forever cherished.

“It has always been my dream since I was a little kid to be able to play in the NFL and I am blessed to be able to have that opportunity.”

Lloyd spent three seasons with South Carolina. He transferred to USC ahead of the 2023 season with two years of remaining eligibility, but after a feature season in the Trojans’ backfield, he’s moving to the next level.

A 5-foot-9, 210-pound tailback, Lloyd finished the regular season fifth among Pac-12 runners with 74.6 yards per game on the ground. In 11 appearances, he ran for 820 yards and nine touchdowns on 116 carries.

USC’s ground game really fell off late in the season, but Lloyd proved more than capable when allowed to work into a rhythm in games. He had a 14-carry, 154-yard performance against Arizona State and a 17-carry, 115-yard day with two touchdowns against Cal.

Lloyd was also the fifth-highest-graded tailback in the Pac-12 this season with an 86.5 rushing grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

His departure leaves the Trojans with three scholarship running backs heading into the 2024 season — sophomore Quinten Joyner, redshirt freshman A’Marion Peterson, and incoming freshman Bryan Jackson. The Trojans will likely be active in the transfer portal to supplement the room ahead of next season.