Graduate running back Kelly Joiner has etched out a starting spot for the first time in his fifth and final season of college eligibility. 

Joiner, a Clermont, Florida native, committed to USF in 2019, when things looked much different at USF. 

Although the Bulls finished with a 4-8 record, there was hope for Joiner as a true freshman. 

Joiner rushed for 115 yards in his first start against Memphis in a 49-10 loss.

Joiner, 25,  recalled the game as one of his favorite memories.

“My first start versus Memphis, it was my first 100 yard game,” Joiner said “I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.” 

Joiner would not see the same success in a game until the end of his sophomore season, where he rushed for 116 yards against UCF in a 58-46 loss that capped off a 1-8 season. 

Joiner’s lack of personal success was partially due to a running back room that split reps between strong backs, such as Brian Battie and Johnny Ford. 

As a junior, Joiner had his best season yet. He led the Bulls with 6.2 yards per carry and 480 yards in the 2021 season.

Despite this boost in production, Joiner wasn’t satisfied.

“[I haven’t] been getting what you want the past couple of years,” Joiner said. “You work so hard and still fall short.” 

Related: USF’s Bryce Archie has been waiting to prove himself. Now is the time. 

After his breakout season, a foot fracture kept him sidelined for most of 2022. Poised for a return under newly-hired head coach Alex Golesh in 2023, Joiner simply didn’t look the same.

In his nine games, Joiner never rushed for more than 52 yards. He only saw the endzone once. 

The experience was frustrating, Joiner said.

For many players, these setbacks could have spelled the end of their college career.

Not for Kelly Joiner.

Joiner said his family gave him the motivation to play football. He looked up to his older brother in particular. 

“My older brother is incarcerated right now,” Joiner said. “I think about him every day. I don’t want to give in or let him down.” 

Joiner said he watched his brother play football when he was young. 

Joiner came into his final season of college football with a chip on his shoulder. 

So far, Joiner is on pace for his best season by far. He has rushed for 364 yards and six touchdowns throughout the season with 5 games left on the schedule. 

Joiner has, at times, been the life force of a dormant offense. Against UAB, Joiner caught the go ahead touchdown pass in the third quarter.

In a close game, Joiner ran for two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

The final touchdown came with only two minutes and 55 seconds left, effectively sealing the deal as the Bulls took a 10-point lead. 

Related: USF takes down UAB 35-25 in second half comeback

The win against UAB kept the hopes of a bowl game alive for USF. The Bulls currently sit at three wins, needing six to be eligible for a bowl game at the end of the season. 

For Joiner though, these games are the last few in a storied Bulls career. 

The end of his college career is still in the back of Joiner’s mind, he said, but his attention is on playing football.

Joiner has also placed himself as a leader within the USF locker room over the past seven games.

USF freshman running back Alvon Isaac said that Joiner’s knowledge of college football has been helpful in adapting to the pace of the game. 

“He’s done a lot for me,” Isaac said. “He’s done a great job of teaching me a lot about college football.” 

Isaac will get to experience one thing that Joiner did not in his tenure as a Bull, an on-campus stadium. 

“I’m jealous, man,” Joiner admitted. “[They] get a new stadium. It’s a shiny new toy.”

Joiner said he would certainly be back for a game or two every now and again.