Driven to Succeed

A "go for it all" mentality is propelling USC redshirt senior running back Austin Jones this 2023 season as he has his sights set on some of the biggest honors in college football.

Whether it's winning a national championship with his team or taking home the Doak Walker Award, Jones is primed and ready for one final collegiate campaign.

"I want to go for it all. A National Championship, a Pac-12 Championship, all that stuff is obviously the main goal, but I have a lot of individual goals too," said Jones ahead of his final year of college football.

In his first year with the Trojans, Jones rushed for 705 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught 25 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown. USC's leading returning rusher, the redshirt senior isn't holding back this year.

"Individually, I'd like to go for 1,500 rushing yards, 500 receiving yards, 15 plus rushing touchdowns, five receiving touchdowns, make First Team All-Pac-12, First Team All-American and win Doak Walker. I want it all," chuckled Jones.

A veteran in a talented room of running backs, he has welcomed freshmen and transfers with open arms.

"We all support and push each other," said Jones. Of course it's competitive, but at the end of the day, those are my brothers, and I want them to succeed."

Jones began his collegiate career at Stanford University in 2019 after receiving offers from every Pac-12 school except USC. During his three seasons with the Cardinal, he rushed for 1155 yards and 12 touchdowns. Getting to play in the Coliseum was something always looked forward to while on the opposing sideline.

"Coming from Stanford, you come here to play and it's one of the most fun games. Just a crazy place to play."

Now, he gets to call the Coliseum home.

"It's unreal to play in such a historic venue every Saturday," he said. "I just feel lucky that I get to step out on that field and play in that stadium."

Driven to succeed in the classroom, Jones racked up numerous academic accolades while simultaneously finding success on the gridiron for the Cardinal.

"My mom always pushed me academically and reminded me that my education was priority. She'd say, 'You don't have to play football,' anytime she felt that school wasn't my focus."

Minerva Jones, Austin's mother, was 'the teacher' at home.

"My dad worked a lot, so my mom was always there. In order to play football, my grades had to be up, and then it just became a consistent thing."

He credits his family, and especially his parents, with much of his success.

"They've been the biggest factor in my life without a doubt," said Jones of his parents, Carl and Minerva. "My siblings are much older than me, so I grew up in the home alone. They've always pushed me every single day. They were those parents that put me in a position where 'not everything's going to be easy,' and they kind of forced me to work for everything that I got. Nothing was ever really given to me, and it made me understand what it is actually like to work hard."

Jones' world changed on his 17^th birthday as his grandfather, Sam, passed away. Having had a huge influence on his young life, he credits his grandfather as the inspiration for getting into football.

"Every time I'd go back to visit him in Augusta (Ga.), he'd always hand me a football and tell me I was going to be a football player."

Though Sam was never able to watch his grandson play in person, Jones remains confident that he'd be proud of all he's accomplished.

"I'm a lot like my grandfather in many ways – he was no nonsense and a crazy hard worker. It was probably one of the hardest things, knowing that he won't ever be able to see me play."

Family remained a constant during Jones' most difficult times.

As a child, the Jones family moved frequently because of his father's job, pushing Austin to become confident as an individual and learning to adapt in new situations.

"Naturally, I had to be outgoing," he said. "Moving from place to place and being around different people, it was never hard for me to make friends, especially playing sports. My teammates became my friends, so it was never that hard for me to adapt."

Changing schools three times in middle school alone, Jones' bubbly personality only further developed with each new environment he was placed in. It's no surprise he has found success in his chosen degree program – communication.

Ten years from now Jones will be 32 and hopes to be at the end of his football career, approaching retirement.

"After football, I want to go into sports broadcasting. I'm really passionate about sports, love to talk to anyone and everyone, and can argue really well."

"When the time comes, I feel like I could be a Stephen A. Smith or a Shannon Sharpe. Easy money," he said with a smirk.

Do not be surprised if in 15 years Jones is a household name, known for both his success on the field and large personality as a sports analyst.

Players Mentioned

Austin Jones

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