NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Dec. 18—New Mexico’s most explosive rusher has found a new home.
Former UNM running back Eli Sanders announced his commitment to USC on Wednesday via a post on social media.
The 5-foot-11, Iowa State transfer rushed for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns in his lone season with the Lobos, earning an All-Mountain West honorable mention selection in the process. He joins quarterback Devon Dampier (Utah) and wide receiver Luke Wysong (Arizona) in a group of highly-prolific players leaving UNM for Power 4 programs.
Sanders has one year of eligibility remaining.
“Committed!!” he posted on X. “Fight on!!”
Sanders was perhaps UNM’s most publicly sought-after transfer, receiving offers from Power 4 programs like Arkansas, Michigan State, Arizona and Virginia Tech after announcing his plans to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 6. But the Trojans won him over during a two-day visit this week, with the Oceanside, Calif. native citing USC as his “dream school” growing up.
Sanders is now in position to help replace senior Woody Marks (1,133 yards) and freshman Quinten Joyner (478 yards), who entered the portal on Dec. 9.
“(Head coach Lincoln Riley), (running backs coach Anthony Jones Jr.) and the entire staff just made the whole experience at USC awesome,” he told 24/7 Sports. “It was a family-oriented atmosphere there … The offense is a great fit for me.
“I feel very comfortable running counter, going either inside or outside zone. It’s perfectly fitted for my skill set.”
Sanders transferred to UNM from Iowa State in January 2023 and surged to the top of the Lobos’ congested running back room during spring practice and fall camp. After a midseason lull, Sanders was most prolific for UNM in the back half of last season, notably exploding for a career-high 205 yards with two touchdowns in a 49-45 shootout loss to Wyoming on Nov. 2.
UNM’s…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/former-mexico-running-back-eli-040100300.html
Author : Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Publish date : 2024-12-19 04:01:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
