Washington Is Planning on Staying

Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush is expected to announce sometime after the Rose Bowl that he will turn pro.

Fellow tailback LenDale White could very well do the same.

Chauncey Washington, a tailback who was part of the same heralded recruiting class in 2003, said Wednesday that there is a chance he also could make himself available for the NFL draft, but he probably will return after sitting out the last two seasons because of academic ineligibility.

“I’m guessing both [Bush and White] are gone, but it doesn’t really matter if they stay or go,” Washington said.

Washington, 6 feet 1, 205 pounds, could have practiced with the Trojans this season but was advised by coaches to concentrate on academics. He said he took 14 units during the recently completed fall semester and is awaiting final grades with hopes that he will be able to participate in football next spring.

“I’ve been trying too hard to give up,” Washington said.

If Bush and White turn pro, Washington might be the Trojans’ most physically sound tailback next spring. Hershel Dennis is coming off major knee surgery. So is Desmond Reed, who is not expected to participate. Michael Coleman has battled hip problems throughout this season.

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Bush, regarded by some as the likely top pick in the draft, attended a seminar on Tuesday that Coach Pete Carroll organized to educate his players about the pros and cons of leaving school early for the NFL.

White said he missed the seminar because he “had to take care of something I had put off for a while.”

Carroll said he would share the seminar information with White, “if he wants to.... The guys that want to receive it will receive it better than others.”

All players were required to attend an NCAA-mandated seminar on gambling and agents on Wednesday.

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Carroll said he would not consult Greg Robinson regarding second-ranked Texas, USC’s Rose Bowl opponent.

Robinson coached under Carroll with the New York Jets. He served as Texas’ co-defensive coordinator in 2004 before he was hired by Syracuse as head coach last January.

“I don’t think that’s the thing we should be doing,” Carroll said. “He worked for those guys. Greg and I talk periodically, but I wouldn’t put him in that position.”

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With early bowl preparation workouts regarded as something of an extra spring practice, Carroll said several young players have made an impression, most notably 6-6, 250-pound freshman Charles Brown, who came in as a tight end but has moved to left tackle.

Carroll said cornerbacks Kevin Thomas, Cary Harris and Mozique McCurtis, quarterback Mark Sanchez and defensive lineman Averell Spicer also have stood out.