Sports
Woody Marks finally getting the chance to unleash his total skill set at USC
As Woody Marks weighed his football future last winter, Darren Myles was frank with his former running back. His body of work, he told Marks, was an incomplete picture of the player Myles knew he could be. Four seasons at Mississippi State, playing in Mike Leach’s pass-happy Air Raid offense, proved Marks could catch passes out of the backfield. But he was typecast in the eyes of NFL scouts as a third-down, change-of-pace player, incapable of carrying the load as a bruising back running between the tackles.
His high school coach knew better than that. Myles had seen it during four years at Carver High in Atlanta. He watched as Marks stepped in as the starter before his first game as a freshman, taking the place of a senior who missed practice and never relinquishing the role.
During 43 games at Carver, Marks carried the offense on his back, toting the ball 614 times for 10 yards per carry. As a sophomore, he tallied 13 consecutive 100-yard games. As a senior, he scored 23 touchdowns. Never did he catch more than a pass or two per game.
So the notion that Marks was pigeonholed as a pass catcher or seen as anything less than a three-down workhorse didn’t sit well with Myles. His advice? Find an offense where you could prove who you are.
Marks seems to have found that and then some at USC, where he’s already established himself as one of the Big Ten’s most complete backs. Through five games, Marks has carried the ball 81 times, sixth most of any running back in the conference. At his current pace — more than 16 per game — he’s likely to break his career high in carries before the end of October.
That hasn’t precluded him from being a pass catcher, either. Marks is third on the team in catches with 19, just two fewer than the Trojans’ top two receivers.
“He’s been exactly what we’d hoped he’d be at this point,” coach Lincoln Riley said.
That feeling, his mother says, is mutual.
“He looks just like he did in high school,” Tameka Marks said. “He’s showcasing it again, what he didn’t get to showcase the last four years at Mississippi State — that he can actually run!”
USC running back Woody Marks runs through Utah State safety Jordan Vincent to score a touchdown at the Coliseum on Sept. 7.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Myles knew that to be true before Marks made it to high school. He was only 13 years old, still in the eighth grade, and weighed barely 155 pounds, but Myles, a former running back himself, could see Marks was a natural. He had the vision, the quickness, the instincts. Most of all, he was fearless. Even at his size, there wasn’t a tentative bone in his body.
After four practices, Myles approached Tameka to tell her Woody probably would factor into the varsity roster as a freshman. By the first week of football season the following fall, Marks already was the focal point of Carver’s offense. The promotion had come after the senior incumbent missed a mandatory practice during fall break. Marks ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns in his stead.
“Right away, I moved that kid to slot receiver,” Myles said. “Like, you’re gonna back up Woody Marks now.”
Marks averaged 12 yards per carry as a freshman, yet was limited to fewer than 10 carries per game as Myles spread the ball around in Carver’s offense. But by the end of that season, Myles said, Marks had mastered the zone-run concepts at the heart of his offense, and as a sophomore, he exploded for 2,127 yards in 13 games.
USC running back Woody Marks celebrates after scoring the winning touchdown against LSU on Sept. 1.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
By then, Myles knew he could lean on Marks, if needed. He rarely received more than 20 carries in a game, but in consecutive playoff wins over Jones High and Flowery Branch, Marks put the offense on his back, tallying more than 200 yards rushing.
“Once he got past the linebacker, it was over,” Myles said. “You talk about having a running back with wide receiver speed. Once he gets to the second level, he’s gone. You’re not catching him.”
Offers rolled in from across the country — everywhere, it seemed, but Georgia, the local college football power, whose staff had asked Myles if Marks would consider changing to slot receiver.
“It bothered him,” Myles said. “But it motivated him to work even harder.”
And with more work, Myles trusted Marks even more to carry them.
During one game, as a senior, Carver lost its quarterback to a hip-pointer injury. With only an inexperienced freshman left at the position, Myles pivoted to run the entire offense through Marks.
For the second half, nearly every play went through the running back, who even lined up for some direct snaps as a wildcat quarterback. By then, the defense knew what was coming most plays. Inside zone. Outside zone. Inside zone. And on and on.
“They were stacking the box,” Myles said. “It didn’t matter.”
USC running back Woody Marks drags LSU safety Dashawn Spears into the end zone for a touchdown on Sept. 1.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Marks committed to Mississippi State about eight months before the coach he committed to, Joe Moorhead, was fired. Into his place stepped Leach, whose reputation for largely ignoring the run preceded him. The family weighed whether Marks would be better suited elsewhere. But he’d already made his pledge. He stuck with it.
And over four years at Mississippi State, three of which were under Leach, Marks never rushed for more than 582 yards in a season. In 45 games, he received more than a dozen carries just eight times and only twice ran for more than 100 yards.
Losing Leach, who died suddenly in late 2022, only muddied Marks’ role. He considered transferring but ultimately chose to stay in Starkville. Then a hamstring injury late in the 2023 season sapped Marks of his usual burst.
If not for the injury, he might’ve declared for the draft right then, his mother said. Prospective agents told them he’d be picked in the middle rounds, perhaps as high as the third. But they wondered if another year, in the right offense, might alter that trajectory.
Several schools had the same thought, among them Georgia, which apparently had gotten over its hang-ups about Marks’ size. But the fit with Riley, an Air Raid protege of Leach, felt seamless. Marks already was familiar with most of the offense’s zone-run concepts.
“He’s been doing those things since he was 13 years old,” Myles said.
It’s no wonder then that his impact at USC has been so instantaneous. Marks already has more 100-yard games (three) at USC than he did in all of his time at Mississippi State. And as defenses have tried to take away dynamic plays downfield, he’s been called upon even more, having touched the ball 47 times over the last two games.
“Everything [Riley] told us about how he would use him,” Tameka said, “we’re seeing it every game.”
Marks’ role actually could stand to grow from here, with Big Ten defenses daring Riley to run, sure to follow a similar blueprint to what worked for Minnesota last Saturday. Marks was on his way to a career day until the final 11 minutes, when he didn’t touch the ball a single time.
Nonetheless, there’s no doubt at USC that it has a three-down back at its disposal, one capable of grinding away Big Ten games in a way it desperately will need down the stretch.
Though, Marks isn’t sure he’s lived up to that just billing yet.
“I really think I haven’t proven a lot,” Marks said. “We hold ourselves to a higher standard. We’re going to get to that.”
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Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.
Shortly after the Wolverines captured the program’s first title since 1989, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. announced he would enter the NBA Draft.
Despite declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson has maintained his NCAA eligibility throughout the process. However, he has until May 27 to withdraw if he plans to return for his junior season.
Johnson played for Illinois during the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan last offseason.
Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. walks on the court against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated)
After joining Michigan, Johnson quickly emerged as a key contributor, averaging the second-most points on the team. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding, averaging 7.3 per game.
Michigan head coach Dusty May eventually dubbed Johnson “The Enforcer” and “Junkyard Dog,” a nod to his tenacity on the defensive end. Johnson was named to the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team.
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But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths. His shooting from beyond the 3-point line showed improvement as the season progressed.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the 2026 NCAA national championship game in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Many early NBA projections gave Johnson a first-round grade. It’s unclear how much name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation he would command if he returns to Michigan or transfers elsewhere.
Johnson has been active on social media, interacting with teammates as they consider returning to Michigan for another championship push.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after scoring in the second half against the UConn Huskies during the 2026 NCAA national championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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Michigan added a key piece this week, with Jalen Reed transferring from LSU, On3 reported. Reed was limited during the 2025-26 season by an Achilles injury.
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Quarterback Ty Simpson arrived in Los Angeles on Friday — and the Rams’ first-round draft pick sounded as if he couldn’t wait to start learning from coach Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford.
“The best head coach in the league, the best quarterback in the league, the best … franchise in the league — it’s a perfect situation,” Simpson said during a news conference at the Rams’ draft headquarters in Inglewood.
How the situation plays out — short and long term — remains to be seen.
Stafford, 38, will enter his 18th NFL season as the reigning NFL most valuable player.
With free agent Jimmy Garoppolo mulling retirement, McVay said Thursday night that Simpson would compete with Stetson Bennett to be Stafford’s backup.
The Rams used the 13th pick to select Simpson, 23, who started 15 games for Alabama.
McVay said that he had informed Stafford that the Rams would select Simpson.
“He was great,” McVay said of Stafford’s reaction. “He’s a stud. He’s always first class in every sense of the word.”
But McVay and general manager Les Snead were not their typically ebullient selves when discussing Simpson during their Thursday night news conference. Some observers perceived that as a break in what is regarded as one of the NFL’s best coach-general manager partnerships.
On Friday, Snead said in an interview with ESPN radio that he and McVay work “in lockstep.”
So their muted reactions Thursday might have been out of sensitivity, warranted or not, to not upset Stafford after drafting his heir apparent in the first round. McVay took pains to remind that the Rams are Stafford’s team, seemingly to not offend the Rams’ most important player.
After last year’s draft-day trade with the Atlanta Falcons, the Rams went into the offseason with two first-round picks — their own at No. 29 and the one acquired from the Falcons at 13.
Ty Simpson poses for a photo with his family during a news conference in Inglewood on Friday.
(Caroline Brehman / Associated Press)
In March, the Rams used the 29th pick in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, so perhaps the 13th pick was regarded as a luxury.
They spent it on a player who was at Alabama for four seasons, but started only one.
Snead acknowledged that as Simpson pondered whether to remain at Alabama or make himself available for the draft, Snead spoke with Simpson’s father, Jason, who like Snead played college football in the Southeastern Conference and is now the coach at Tennessee Martin. Snead said it was in the role similar to the NFL’s College Advisory Committee, which evaluates prospects and lets them know in what round, if any, that they might be selected. Snead reportedly told Jason Simpson his son was first-round caliber.
“You try to get across it’s not about where you get drafted,” Snead said Thursday night. “It’s more about where you go and what situation you go and what you do with that opportunity after.”
A few months later, the Rams drafted Simpson, who was upbeat as he met with reporters, while his parents and his brother and sister sat nearby.
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The Rams drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh.
Simpson, who passed for 28 touchdowns, with five interceptions last season, was in Southern California last January when Alabama lost to Indiana in the Rose Bowl. The Crimson Tide did a walkthrough at SoFi Stadium.
Now he will begin his NFL career there.
“I’m, I guess, like a redneck in Southern California,” he joked. “So we’ll see how that goes. But I’m super excited to be here. This is a great place, with great people and I can’t wait to get started.”
Simpson said that Rams safety Quentin Lake had texted him. He also received a social media message from Stafford’s wife, Kelly, inviting him and his family to reach out if they need anything.
“Can’t wait to talk to Matthew,” said Simpson, who characterized the veteran as “an assassin” on the field. “I’m super excited because I just want to pick his brain about everything.”
Simpson met with McVay on Friday.
“He’s got the juice, man,” Simpson said, “like that dude … he’s a fireball.”
Simpson said he benefited from the years he spent at Alabama before he got his opportunity to play last season.
“The years that I sat were … probably more important,” he said, “because I had to learn how to practice. I had to learn how to study when I wasn’t playing because I didn’t know when that time was going to come.
“And so whenever that time did come — it was this year — I made the most of it.”
Now he is ready for the next phase of his career.
He said his faith was his foundation, and that he aspires to be “not only be the best football player I can be,” but also a better teammate and person.
“I want people to come into the locker room and smile, knowing that ‘Hey, Ty’s here,’” he said. “I want to lead, influence people and I think at the quarterback position that’s what you need to do.”
His immediate goal is modest.
“My plan is just to get better each and every day,” he said, “so, eventually, I have a long career like Matthew.”
Sports
Olympic legend Kaillie Humphries signs with activist sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics amid political rise
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The most accomplished Olympic women’s bobsledder in history is now an official brand ambassador in the movement to “save women’s sports”.
Olympic bobsled legend Kaillie Humphries has signed with the activist sportswear company XX-XY Athletics, becoming the latest medal-winning Olympian to represent the brand.
“Being able to partner with a brand that believes in the same things I do, that’s willing to stand up and actively work on protecting the women’s space and women’s sports is huge,” Humphries told Fox News Digital.
Humphries first spoke out about her support for protecting women’s sports from biological male trans athletes in a Fox News Interview that went viral after the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.
Humphries had just returned after winning bronze in women’s bobsled, marking her sixth career Olympic medal. She later revealed that she received backlash for coming out as a Republican with other conservative stances in that interview, but didn’t back down.
Humphries went on to be honored at a White House Women’s History Month event by President Donald Trump in March, and gave her Order of Ikkos medal to Trump, citing his actions to protect women’s sports.
“Being able to come back to the USA after the Olympics and then be able to make connections and meet some people, I was able to, when I went to the White House, I was able to meet people that were connected obviously in working with XX-XY and that’s how the conversation started,” Humphries said.
Humphries, who is originally from Canada and competed in her first three Olympics for Canada, moved to the U.S. in 2016 and then competed for Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
FEMALE ATHLETES ANXIOUSLY AWAIT SUPREME COURT DECISION TO TAKE UP TRANSGENDER PARTICIPATION IN WOMEN’S SPORTS
Kaillie Humphries, U.S. Olympic bronze medalist bobsled athlete, presents the Order of Ikkos to President Donald Trump during a Women’s History Month event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 12, 2026. (Al Drago/Bloomberg)
Just months after that, America was rocked by the news that male transgender swimmer Lia Thomas was winning championships for UPenn’s women’s swim team.
Humphries, who was following the story in the news, found it startling.
Now, as a California resident and the mother of a newborn son, she is energized to help combat the wave of trans athletes in girls’ sports in the state, as California has become the nation’s biggest hotbed for the issue.
XX-XY Athletics co-founder and former U.S. gymnast Jennifer previously told Fox News Digital one of her biggest goals for the brand was to land high-profile superstar women’s athletes as brand ambassadors, especially Olympic medalists.
Now, with Humphries, the brand has a three-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time Olympic podium finisher across her stints for Canada and the U.S.
Humphries joins Olympic silver medalist gymnast MyKayla Skinner and gold medal swimmer Nancy Hogshead on XX-XY Athletics’ growing roster of Olympians.
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USA’s Kaillie Humphries holds a USA flag after winning bronze in the bobsleigh women’s monobob heat 4 at Cortina Sliding Centre during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Feb. 16, 2026. (Marco Bertorello/AFP)
“Kaillie is the GOAT of her sport. She is the only Olympian to win gold for two different countries. She is an elite athlete and a courageous, fierce woman who has fought for female athletes to have equal opportunities in sport.” Sey told Fox News Digital.
“The women’s monobob event exists because of Kaillie’s leadership, and she has gold-medal proof that women have the skill, strength, and speed to compete at the highest level. She has driven meaningful change and expanded opportunities for women at the Olympic level — more female athletes represent Team USA because of Kaillie. And that’s exactly why we’re leading with her as we grow in how we support female athletes.”
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