Trojans' Carswell says he's staying
USC freshman wide receiver Brandon Carswell said Friday he did not intend to transfer, although he acknowledged hearing speculation he might depart after the Rose Bowl.
"I made a decision and I've got to stay around,"
Carswell said. "But I've heard my name out there. They said I was going to go back home and go to Cal. Or that I would go to Boise State."
Carswell played sparingly this season, appearing in nine games and catching one pass. He also returned five punts. After making more than his share of impressive plays redshirting on the scout team last season, there were expectations he would play but he never cracked the wide receiver rotation.
"I'm glad I'm here,"
Carswell said. "I'm frustrated because I felt early in the season I did the right stuff to play, but I guess I wasn't working hard enough."
Tailback Allen Bradford, who is undergoing six months of rehabilitation following hip surgery, also said he currently has no plans to transfer.
"I'm just focusing on rehab and coming back next year,"
said Bradford, who also has been the subject of transfer rumors because he was deep on the tailback depth chart before he got hurt.
Meanwhile, former USC safety Alfred Rowe, who was academically disqualified last spring, attended practice. Rowe played linebacker at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut this season. He said he spoke to Middle Tennessee State, Kansas and Fresno State about the possibility of transferring next season.
Future schedule: USC is expected to announce a home-and-home series for the 2010-11 seasons with a BCS conference opponent in the next two weeks. The deal will not be with any of the marquee teams of the SEC (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, LSU) or the major Big 12 teams (Texas, Oklahoma). USC is also talking to Tennessee about a home-and-home series. But the matchup is unlikely to pit USC coach Pete Carroll against his former assistant, Lane Kiffin, because it would not take place before 2020.
Fired up: USC returned from its Christmas break full of enthusiasm based on its Friday morning meeting.
"Everyone erupted,"
quarterback Mark Sanchez said. "When they were going over our week, everyone was excited and can't wait to play."
Injury report: Safety Kevin Ellison (sore knee), who played about half of the UCLA game, is not progressing as quickly as hoped and did not practice Friday. He remains questionable for the Rose Bowl . ... Wide receiver Damian Williams (shoulder) participated in his first bowl practice, although he is not cleared for contact. Williams said he might not be cleared for contact until the Rose Bowl. "We'll try not to bring him back too hard,"
Carroll said. ... Tailback Stafon Johnson said he underwent a CT scan on his sore kneecap but said he expected to be ready for the game. "I ran around a little bit and I feel good,"
Johnson said. "I'm already running straightforward and it's the first practice (since Christmas). By the end of the week, I'll be full speed."
Late arrival: Fullback Stanley Havili experienced problems flying back from Salt Lake City and missed practice. He was scheduled to return Friday afternoon.
