Eli Sanders News, Rumors, Updates - USC Trojans

Declaring for NFL Draft Sanders will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, per Pete Nakos of On3.com.

Impact Sanders will head to the league following a single year with URC. The former Iowa State and New Mexico transfer recorded 264 yards and two touchdowns on 5.6 yards per attempt on the ground to go along with eight receptions for 126 yards and a score through the air through six games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The 5-foot-10 running back previously ran for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns in his last full season with New Mexico in 2024.

DECEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

A walk-on at Tailback U., King Miller has seized a historic job and a starring role at No. 17 USC

King Miller is starring as a walk-on tailback at No. 17 Southern California

NOVEMBER 12, 2025 • Associated Press

Jeremiyah Love Sets Single-Game Career High, Powers Notre Dame over USC

Jeremiyah Love rushed for a career-high 228 yards to lift No. 13 Notre Dame over No. 20 Southern California in historic rivalry.

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Jeremiyah Love Sets Single-Game Career High, Powers Notre Dame over USC

Price, Love spark No. 13 Notre Dame past No. 20 Southern California 34-24

Jadarian Price scored on a 100-yard kickoff return in the third quarter, Jeremiyah Love rushed for a career-high 228 yards and a score, and No. 13 Notre Dame beat No. 20 Southern C...

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • Associated Press

Officially out for the year Sanders (knee) will miss the remainder of the 2025 season, per Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com.

Impact Sanders was carted off the field on Saturday night against Michigan, and the Trojans' worst fears have been realized: the tailback is indeed done for the year. USC needs to drastically reshuffle its backfield now, as starter Waymond Jordan, who also suffered a serious injury against the Wolverines, is set to miss at least four weeks. The good news for the Trojans? Backup tailback and walk-on King Miller made quite the impression in Week 7, amassing 158 rushing yards and a touchdown.

OCTOBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

USC football overpowers No. 15 Michigan in King Miller's crowning performance Miller, a walk-on, takes over and rushes 18 times for 158 yards and a touchdown after running backs Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders leave wit...

OCTOBER 12, 2025 • DAILYNEWS.COM

Likely done for the year Sanders' undisclosed injury he suffered against Michigan is likely to be season-ending, per Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times.

Impact Sanders was carted off the field against the Wolverines, so it's no secret that he sustained a serious injury. He's not officially out for the year yet, but the situation seems grim and he's likely headed for some serious missed time at the very least. Sanders was the Trojans' No. 2 tailback, but with Waymond Jordan also injured against Michigan, USC's entire backfield could be shaken up in the matter of a week.

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Likely done for the year Sanders' undisclosed injury he suffered against Michigan is likely to be season-ending, per Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times.

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Carted off the field vs. Michigan Sanders was carted off the field during USC's clash with Michigan, per Chris Trevino of 247Sports.com.

Impact Sanders' went down against the Wolverines, and needed a lot of help from the trainers while getting carted off the field. He had one catch for 11 yards before leaving the game. Waymond Jordan and King Miller will hold down the Trojans' backfield in his stead.

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Carted off the field vs. Michigan Sanders was carted off the field during USC's clash with Michigan, per Chris Trevino of 247Sports.com.

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Regresses from preious totals Sanders totaled eight carries for 14 yards and reeled in 1 of 2 targets for 10 yards during Saturday's 34-32 loss versus Illinois.

Impact Sanders had his worst game of the season, trailing far behind Waymond Jordan in a backup role. While Jordan is unquestioned lead back, Sanders has held a large presence despite the snap disparity, but he fell far behind he pace against the Illlini. It could be a continuing trend if Jordan is used more against tougher teams in the conference.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

107 yards of total offense in win Sanders recorded 16 carries for 90 yards and caught all two targets for 17 yards during Saturday's 45-31 win over Michigan State.

Impact Although Waymond Jordan is the Trojans first option at running back, Sanders is keeping Jordan fresh and producing solid numbers. Through four games, the New Mexico transfer has 250 rushing yards, 105 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Records 75 yards in win Sanders tallied 10 rushes for 75 yards and gathered in their only target for two yards during Saturday's 33-17 win versus Purdue.

Impact Sanders almost matched Waymond Jordan's total, and had more success agains Rutgers' defense in the first half. Although Jordan is the clear favorite in the backfield, he's kept fresh with several contributions from Sanders, whose fantasy stock continues to rise.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

USC overcomes 3-hour delay and slow start to hold off Purdue for 33-17 victory in Big Ten opener

Jayden Maiava and Waymond Jordan each ran for touchdowns, and Jamaal Jarrett returned an interception 70 yards for a score to lead Southern California past Purdue 33-17 after a wea...

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 • Associated Press

USC hopes that piling up big plays can help it address its Big Ten road woes

The USC Trojans have piled up explosive gains through two comfortable wins against overmatched opponents to start the season and will now look to keep the trend going when they ope...

SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 • Associated Press

Solid impact in win Sanders compiled eight carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns and gathered in all two targets for 13 yards during Saturday's 59-20 victory versus Georgia Southern.

Impact Although Sanders is clearly in the pecking order behind Waymond Jordan, he's getting plenty of work early in the season. With five catches so far, it appears that he's getting the nod on passing downs over Jordan, who didn't record a catch in Week 2. Through two games it appears that there's plenty of production to be had for both backs.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Solid impact in win Sanders compiled eight carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns and gathered in all two targets for 13 yards during Saturday's 59-20 victory versus Georgia Southern.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

USC routs Georgia Southern 59-20 in former coach Clay Helton's return to the Coliseum

Southern California trounced former coach Clay Helton’s Georgia Southern 59-20

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 • Associated Press

Makes splash with offense in win Sanders posted five carries for 33 yards and hauled in his only target for 73 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 73-13 win versus Missouri State.

Impact Waymond Jordan was projected to be USC's top running back prospect, but the team also brought Sanders in from New Mexico. Based on Saturday's results, Sanders and Jordan seem headed for a timeshare at the position. Coach Lincoln Riley will likely employ a strategy he's used often, alternating backs between drives and giving the better back the reins for the remainder of the game. The depth of the position is great news for USC, but it clouds the fantasy outlook for both backs.

AUGUST 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Swanson: USC football off and running – and it should keep running Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders set the tone in 73-13 opener, showing Lincoln Riley’s offense may be best when built on its backfield.

AUGUST 31, 2025 • DAILYNEWS.COM

QBs Jayden Maiava, Husan Longstreet lead potent USC to 73-13 win over Missouri State

Jayden Maiava passed for 295 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, and Southern California had its highest-scoring game since 1930 in a 73-13 victory over Missouri State

AUGUST 31, 2025 • Associated Press

No one could catch USC RB Eli Sanders on this 73-yard TD run

AUGUST 31, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Jayden Maiava links up with Eli Sanders for 73-yard TD, extending USC's lead over Missouri State

AUGUST 31, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Standing out in camp Sanders has had one of the best camps of anyone per head coach Lincoln Riley, Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact Riley described Sanders as the "most explosive" back in the room and it sounds like he's been a standout during camp. Sanders is fresh off a 1,000-yard season with New Mexico during which he also scored nine times. He'll figure to have a significant role to open the season; however, the team has made it clear they plan to get multiple guys involved out of the backfield.

AUGUST 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Going to California Sanders will transfer to USC, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The tailback spent 2024 with New Mexico, and had a heck of a season, racking up 1,064 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on a healthy 7.2 yards-per-carry. The former Iowa State runner, who never got a full chance to show what he can do with the Cyclones, will now spend his final year of eligibility with USC. Sanders should immediately compete to be the starting tailback for head coach Lincoln Riley.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

ELI SANDERS NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

A walk-on at Tailback U., King Miller has seized a historic job and a starring role at No. 17 USC

Jeremiyah Love Sets Single-Game Career High, Powers Notre Dame over USC

Price, Love spark No. 13 Notre Dame past No. 20 Southern California 34-24

USC overcomes 3-hour delay and slow start to hold off Purdue for 33-17 victory in Big Ten opener

USC hopes that piling up big plays can help it address its Big Ten road woes

USC routs Georgia Southern 59-20 in former coach Clay Helton's return to the Coliseum

QBs Jayden Maiava, Husan Longstreet lead potent USC to 73-13 win over Missouri State

No one could catch USC RB Eli Sanders on this 73-yard TD run

Jayden Maiava links up with Eli Sanders for 73-yard TD, extending USC's lead over Missouri State