In 2007, Coach Steve Sarkisian was named the offensive coordinator at USC. Sarkisian was the Trojans’ quarterback coach from 2001-2003, before leaving for the Raiders quarterback job in 2004. During that time, Norm Chow was offensive coordinator under Pete Carroll at USC, beginning in 2001 until 2004. Lane Kiffin earned the job in 2005 before departing for the Raiders in 2007 when Sarkisian took over.
In the first seven seasons with the Trojans, Chow and Kiffin combined to help produce a 65-12 record, and just two 1,000-yard rushers - Len’Dale White in 2004-2005, and Reggie Bush in 2005.
Before the 2003 recruiting class, USC had focused primarily on smaller speed backs, like Sultan McCullough, who had a career-best 10.17 100m at 195 pounds, and Justin Fargas, the nation's top back, who ran a 10.47 100m at 196 pounds. Fargas originally committed to Michigan in 1998 before transferring in 2001.
Reggie Bush fit the archetype that USC was chasing - slight, freaky fast, hyper-talented, and highly regarded. Bush was the No. 1 running back in the 2003 class. The Trojans signed two more running backs in the top-10 that year, No. 8 Chauncey Washington (210 pounds) and No. 9 LenDale White (225 pounds).
I emphasized the early days at USC as a focal point to Coach Sarkisian's growth as a coach and recruiter. In 2007, he took over an offense that won 36 of the last 39 games and recently lost both Bush and White to the NFL. In 2006, Chauncey Washington had just 46 more carries than C.J. Gable (180 pounds) and only 744 rushing yards to lead the Trojans.
USC rushed for 197 yards per game with Sarkisian in 2007, a 69-yard increase per game from the season before. The 2007 season brought another great recruiting class to USC, including No. 1 overall RB Joe McKnight (193 pounds) & No. 2 overall RB Marc Tyler (215 pounds), Tyler was recruited specifically by Sarkisian and RB Coach Todd McNair.
In 2008, the Trojans ran a 3-headed monster with Gable, McKnight, and 2006 top recruit Stafon Johnson, each finishing with over 600 yards rushing.
In January 2009, Steve Sarkisian took the Washington Huskies job, one that came with limited to no shine. The Huskies were coming off an 0-12 season, the first winless power-5 season since Duke in 2006.
The Huskies did have a few prospects, however. Chris Polk was the No. 4 all-purpose running back in the 2008 class while quarterback Jake Locker was the No.4 Dual threat in the 2006 class. Polk was recruited at 190 pounds but later listed at 222 pounds on the Huskies website.
After two seasons with Sarkisian, Jake Locker was drafted 8th overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2011. It was reported that there were injury concerns surrounding Chris Polk and in 2012 he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2011, Sarkisian’s recruiting prowess didn’t land him a top-10 running back, however Bishop Sankey (183 pounds) from Spokane, Washington signed as the No. 19 RB in the class. Sankey was listed at 203 pounds on the Husky roster.
After five seasons in Washington, Coach Sarkisian took the USC head coaching job after Lane Kiffin was fired. During the first recruiting cycle in 2014, the Trojans were unable to sign a single running back after the coaching change.
In 2013, Javorius “Buck” Allen was out-carried by Tre Madden 138 to 135. Tre Madden dealt with a turf toe injury in the fall causing him to miss the season, allowing Sarkisian to lean on Buck Allen for north of 1,400 yards.
After a 9-4 season with Allen rushing for 1,489 yards, Sarkisian and staff secured the No. 1 overall recruiting class in the country. Among those players was 4-star No. 8 RB Ronald Jones out of McKinney, TX. As a true freshman, Jones split carries with Justin Davis while finishing just 13 yards short of 1,000.
After a stop in the NFL, Coach Sark joined the Alabama staff as an Offensive Coordinator under Nick Saban. Alabama won the National Championship in 2017 and in 2018 lost to Clemson. The running backfield was a three-headed monster supported by Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris, and Sophomore Najee Harris, and all three rushed for between 600 and 900 yards.
In 2019 and 2020, Sarkisian leaned on the 2017 Rivals No. 1 running back Najee Harris. Harris finished with 460 carries and 2,690 yards over two seasons. He was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Steelers.
Coach Sarkisian has taken advantage of having a couple of highly recruited prospects without recruiting them. At Washington, it was Chris Polk. At Alabama it was Najee Harris and upon arriving to the University of Texas, Bijan Robinson.
Robinson led the Longhorns in rushing in 2020 as a freshman despite splitting carries with Roschon Johnson. He averaged 3.0 more yards per carry than Johnson and 4.9 more yards per carry than Sam Ehlinger.
The Stats
14: Seasons in College as Head Coach or Offensive Coordinator
11: 1,000-yard rushers
10: Top-10 Running Back Recruits
4: Back-to-Back 1,000-yard rusher (Polk, Sankey, Harris, Robinson)
3: Sophomore first-timer (Polk, Sankey, Robinson)
The Next 1,000-yard rusher
Time to Establish the Pipeline
In the first seven seasons with the Trojans, Chow and Kiffin combined to help produce a 65-12 record, and just two 1,000-yard rushers - Len’Dale White in 2004-2005, and Reggie Bush in 2005.
Before the 2003 recruiting class, USC had focused primarily on smaller speed backs, like Sultan McCullough, who had a career-best 10.17 100m at 195 pounds, and Justin Fargas, the nation's top back, who ran a 10.47 100m at 196 pounds. Fargas originally committed to Michigan in 1998 before transferring in 2001.
Reggie Bush fit the archetype that USC was chasing - slight, freaky fast, hyper-talented, and highly regarded. Bush was the No. 1 running back in the 2003 class. The Trojans signed two more running backs in the top-10 that year, No. 8 Chauncey Washington (210 pounds) and No. 9 LenDale White (225 pounds).
I emphasized the early days at USC as a focal point to Coach Sarkisian's growth as a coach and recruiter. In 2007, he took over an offense that won 36 of the last 39 games and recently lost both Bush and White to the NFL. In 2006, Chauncey Washington had just 46 more carries than C.J. Gable (180 pounds) and only 744 rushing yards to lead the Trojans.
USC rushed for 197 yards per game with Sarkisian in 2007, a 69-yard increase per game from the season before. The 2007 season brought another great recruiting class to USC, including No. 1 overall RB Joe McKnight (193 pounds) & No. 2 overall RB Marc Tyler (215 pounds), Tyler was recruited specifically by Sarkisian and RB Coach Todd McNair.
In 2008, the Trojans ran a 3-headed monster with Gable, McKnight, and 2006 top recruit Stafon Johnson, each finishing with over 600 yards rushing.
In January 2009, Steve Sarkisian took the Washington Huskies job, one that came with limited to no shine. The Huskies were coming off an 0-12 season, the first winless power-5 season since Duke in 2006.
The Huskies did have a few prospects, however. Chris Polk was the No. 4 all-purpose running back in the 2008 class while quarterback Jake Locker was the No.4 Dual threat in the 2006 class. Polk was recruited at 190 pounds but later listed at 222 pounds on the Huskies website.
After two seasons with Sarkisian, Jake Locker was drafted 8th overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2011. It was reported that there were injury concerns surrounding Chris Polk and in 2012 he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2011, Sarkisian’s recruiting prowess didn’t land him a top-10 running back, however Bishop Sankey (183 pounds) from Spokane, Washington signed as the No. 19 RB in the class. Sankey was listed at 203 pounds on the Husky roster.
After five seasons in Washington, Coach Sarkisian took the USC head coaching job after Lane Kiffin was fired. During the first recruiting cycle in 2014, the Trojans were unable to sign a single running back after the coaching change.
In 2013, Javorius “Buck” Allen was out-carried by Tre Madden 138 to 135. Tre Madden dealt with a turf toe injury in the fall causing him to miss the season, allowing Sarkisian to lean on Buck Allen for north of 1,400 yards.
After a 9-4 season with Allen rushing for 1,489 yards, Sarkisian and staff secured the No. 1 overall recruiting class in the country. Among those players was 4-star No. 8 RB Ronald Jones out of McKinney, TX. As a true freshman, Jones split carries with Justin Davis while finishing just 13 yards short of 1,000.
After a stop in the NFL, Coach Sark joined the Alabama staff as an Offensive Coordinator under Nick Saban. Alabama won the National Championship in 2017 and in 2018 lost to Clemson. The running backfield was a three-headed monster supported by Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris, and Sophomore Najee Harris, and all three rushed for between 600 and 900 yards.
In 2019 and 2020, Sarkisian leaned on the 2017 Rivals No. 1 running back Najee Harris. Harris finished with 460 carries and 2,690 yards over two seasons. He was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Steelers.
Coach Sarkisian has taken advantage of having a couple of highly recruited prospects without recruiting them. At Washington, it was Chris Polk. At Alabama it was Najee Harris and upon arriving to the University of Texas, Bijan Robinson.
Robinson led the Longhorns in rushing in 2020 as a freshman despite splitting carries with Roschon Johnson. He averaged 3.0 more yards per carry than Johnson and 4.9 more yards per carry than Sam Ehlinger.
The Stats
14: Seasons in College as Head Coach or Offensive Coordinator
11: 1,000-yard rushers
10: Top-10 Running Back Recruits
4: Back-to-Back 1,000-yard rusher (Polk, Sankey, Harris, Robinson)
3: Sophomore first-timer (Polk, Sankey, Robinson)
The Next 1,000-yard rusher
- Cedric Baxter
- 2023 Rivals RB No. 2
- 6-2 215 pounds
- Sophomore
- Named Starter for Week 1 of Freshman season.
- Opportunity to become the 5th Back-to-Back 1,000-yard rusher
Time to Establish the Pipeline
- Jordan Davison (not committed)
- 2025 Rivals RB No.1
- 5-11 203 pounds
- Opportunity to become a Starter as a Sophomore.
- Opportunity to become the 6th back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher
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