Fight on.
BY TODD HARMONSON
The Orange County Register
LOS ANGELES - (KRT) - USC's news wasn't everything the Trojans wanted, but it was enough to prompt celebrations throughout Heritage Hall and, likely, groans across college football.
The two-time national champions learned Friday that Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart wanted one more year more than he did the money awaiting him in the NFL.
"This was definitely the hardest decision of my life," Leinart said.
Punter Tom Malone also decided to return to try to help USC make it three consecutive national titles.
But middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who generally is regarded as a middle-round selection, decided to enter April's draft in hopes of helping his family financially.
Tatupu's loss will hurt, but Leinart's return was a boon the Trojans couldn't count on because he was considered a lock as a top-10 pick and possibly the No.1 overall selection. He gives an already-strong team a lineup so loaded that USC should be the prohibitive favorite to win next season's championship.
"OK, so I'm smiling," said USC coach Pete Carroll, whose voice was strained, in part, from the constant lobbying he did with the players he advised to stay in school.
Hundreds of fans waited in and around Heritage Hall for Leinart to make his call, and the screaming started the moment he said he planned to come back for more at USC.
Many of Leinart's teammates also showed up for the announcement and were every bit as shocked as everyone else who expected that he couldn't resist a signing bonus that likely would exceed $10 million.
"If it was me, I don't think I could've walked away from the money," USC tight end Dominique Byrd said. "But now he has a chance to become one of the greatest college quarterbacks ever."
"I'm speechless," said wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who with Byrd was among a group Leinart told the news to in Carroll's office before his announcement.
Leinart clearly had wanted to return to USC but also understood the financial implications of his decision. In the end, he said he had to go with what was the right thing for him, and that was returning to the Trojans for more of the football and fun that he loves.
He was asked to do a little work Friday, though, when Carroll wanted him to put in a call to top recruit Patrick Turner, a wide receiver from Nashville who is expected to announce his college choice.
Leinart also must soon make some other big decisions. He has an insurance policy that will expire this spring, so he will take out another to cover him in case of a career-ending injury. And he also is considering having surgery on his left elbow to help with the tendinitis that plagued him before last season.
Leinart's move also creates some uncertainty for USC's other quarterbacks.
John David Booty was considered Leinart's likely successor and was eager to learn what Leinart planned to do. Now he will have to sit behind him for a third season, and there is strong sentiment that he might transfer.
Freshman Rocky Hinds also is in the mix, but the biggest benefactor could be Mission Viejo High quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sanchez, who has committed to the Trojans, will get a season to learn from Leinart before he joins the fight to replace him after next season.
---
© 2005, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.).
The Orange County Register
LOS ANGELES - (KRT) - USC's news wasn't everything the Trojans wanted, but it was enough to prompt celebrations throughout Heritage Hall and, likely, groans across college football.
The two-time national champions learned Friday that Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart wanted one more year more than he did the money awaiting him in the NFL.
"This was definitely the hardest decision of my life," Leinart said.
Punter Tom Malone also decided to return to try to help USC make it three consecutive national titles.
But middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who generally is regarded as a middle-round selection, decided to enter April's draft in hopes of helping his family financially.
Tatupu's loss will hurt, but Leinart's return was a boon the Trojans couldn't count on because he was considered a lock as a top-10 pick and possibly the No.1 overall selection. He gives an already-strong team a lineup so loaded that USC should be the prohibitive favorite to win next season's championship.
"OK, so I'm smiling," said USC coach Pete Carroll, whose voice was strained, in part, from the constant lobbying he did with the players he advised to stay in school.
Hundreds of fans waited in and around Heritage Hall for Leinart to make his call, and the screaming started the moment he said he planned to come back for more at USC.
Many of Leinart's teammates also showed up for the announcement and were every bit as shocked as everyone else who expected that he couldn't resist a signing bonus that likely would exceed $10 million.
"If it was me, I don't think I could've walked away from the money," USC tight end Dominique Byrd said. "But now he has a chance to become one of the greatest college quarterbacks ever."
"I'm speechless," said wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who with Byrd was among a group Leinart told the news to in Carroll's office before his announcement.
Leinart clearly had wanted to return to USC but also understood the financial implications of his decision. In the end, he said he had to go with what was the right thing for him, and that was returning to the Trojans for more of the football and fun that he loves.
He was asked to do a little work Friday, though, when Carroll wanted him to put in a call to top recruit Patrick Turner, a wide receiver from Nashville who is expected to announce his college choice.
Leinart also must soon make some other big decisions. He has an insurance policy that will expire this spring, so he will take out another to cover him in case of a career-ending injury. And he also is considering having surgery on his left elbow to help with the tendinitis that plagued him before last season.
Leinart's move also creates some uncertainty for USC's other quarterbacks.
John David Booty was considered Leinart's likely successor and was eager to learn what Leinart planned to do. Now he will have to sit behind him for a third season, and there is strong sentiment that he might transfer.
Freshman Rocky Hinds also is in the mix, but the biggest benefactor could be Mission Viejo High quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sanchez, who has committed to the Trojans, will get a season to learn from Leinart before he joins the fight to replace him after next season.
---
© 2005, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.).
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