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woody marks

Woody Marks (full name Jo’Quavious Dequane “Woody” Marks) is an American running back who plays in the NFL for the Houston Texans and was a standout college player at Mississippi State and USC.

Quick Scoop

  • Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks was born on December 29, 2000, in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • He played college football at Mississippi State (2020–2023) and then transferred to USC for his final season of eligibility in 2024.
  • Marks was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft (116th overall).

Early life and nickname

  • Marks attended Carver High School in Atlanta, rushing for over 6,000 yards and scoring 59 touchdowns in his high school career.
  • His nickname “Woody” comes from a childhood obsession with the movie Toy Story and its character Sheriff Woody.

College career highlights

  • At Mississippi State, he became one of the most productive pass-catching backs in school history, setting program records for running back receptions and career receptions overall.
  • Across four seasons at Mississippi State and one at USC, he totaled 3,016 rushing yards, 31 rushing touchdowns, and 261 receptions for 1,546 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns.

USC season and draft rise

  • In 2024 at USC, Marks led the Trojans’ backfield with 1,133 rushing yards on 198 carries and 9 rushing touchdowns, plus 47 catches for 321 yards.
  • His combination of durability, pass-catching volume, and efficiency helped elevate him into a mid‑round NFL prospect, leading to his selection by Houston in the 2025 draft.

Play style and current status

  • Marks is known as a versatile, dual‑threat back: compact build (around 5'10", 207 pounds), reliable hands, and strong production in both the run and short passing game.
  • Entering the league with the Texans, he profiles as a back who can contribute on third downs, in spread looks, and potentially grow into a larger role if his all‑around skill set translates to the NFL.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.