WM #4

Woody Marks

Running Back · USC

A USC transfer who became Houston's leading rusher as a rookie fourth-round pick and broke 100 yards in his first career playoff game.

Woody Marks spent four seasons at Mississippi State before a final year at USC turned him into one of the most productive pass-catching backs in the country. The Texans traded up to grab him in the fourth round of the 2025 draft, and he answered by becoming Houston's lead back as a rookie.

★ Second Team All-Big Ten at USC (2024)

★ Led Texans in rushing yards as a rookie (703 yards)

★ First career 100-yard rushing game came in the 2025 wild-card playoffs

Path to the league

Marks began his college career at Mississippi State before transferring to USC for his final season, where he rushed for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns on 198 carries while adding 321 receiving yards, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. The Texans traded up with Miami to select him in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

At 5-foot-10 and roughly 207 pounds, Marks built his draft profile around versatility, combining between-the-tackles running with reliable receiving out of the backfield. His pass-catching ability was a major selling point for a Houston offense built around quarterback C.J. Stroud.

2025 season recap

Marks led the Texans in rushing as a rookie, carrying the ball 198 times for 703 yards and two touchdowns while adding 24 receptions for 208 yards and three receiving touchdowns across 16 games. He emerged as Houston's clear lead back down the stretch and broke 100 rushing yards for the first time in his career during the wild-card round against Pittsburgh, though he was held to just 17 yards on 14 carries in the divisional round loss.