Jarrett Must Apply to Regain Eligibility

USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who last season shared an expensive apartment with quarterback Matt Leinart, violated an “extra benefits” rule and must apply for reinstatement of his eligibility, the NCAA said Thursday.

An NCAA committee made its determination after USC’s compliance office sought assistance in determining whether a violation had occurred because Jarrett paid less than half of what Leinart’s father said was a $3,866-a-month lease.

“The information submitted by the University of Southern California regarding the living arrangements of two football student-athletes represents a violation of NCAA extra benefit rules,” the NCAA said in a statement.

In general, this kind of situation can be resolved in three ways, NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson said. The student-athlete can be denied reinstatement, regain his eligibility with no conditions attached or might be required to miss games and/or pay back the extra benefit.

Any reinstatement application from USC would be handled “in a timely manner,” the NCAA statement said.

Jarrett could not be reached for comment. Coach Pete Carroll said he expected the process to go smoothly.

“He won’t lose a game,” Carroll said.

The situation became widely known April 29, the first day of the NFL draft, when Leinart’s father Bob told The Times that he had been told Jarrett might have to repay him as much as $10,000.

Leinart’s parents said they leased the apartment for their son in a secured building of the Medici complex in downtown Los Angeles because fans started showing up at the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner’s previous residence near campus.

Matt paid $650 a month, Jarrett paid $650 and Bob paid the difference, Bob said.

USC compliance officials needed to determine whether an NCAA rule was violated because, while Bob Leinart would have been allowed to make up the difference for his son, he might not have been allowed to do so for another player.

Informed of the NCAA’s ruling, Bob Leinart said, “I don’t think we did anything wrong. They both paid the same rent.”