Bush Meets With Agent and Carroll

Running back Reggie Bush met with Coach Pete Carroll and a prominent agent for about an hour on campus Monday, but the Heisman Trophy winner said he still had not decided whether he would turn pro.

Bush, a junior who is regarded as the possible top pick in the NFL draft, met with David Dunn, who negotiated Heisman winner Carson Palmer’s contract when the former USC quarterback was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the top pick in 2003. Carroll, Trojan running backs coach Todd McNair and Jayice Pearson, a former NFL player who is Bush’s cousin, also attended the meeting at Heritage Hall.

Players have until Sunday to declare for the April draft.

“I’m still trying to figure everything out and put everything in perspective before I make my decision,” Bush said after the meeting.

Bush said the meeting with Dunn would be his last with agents, but he emphasized that he had not chosen who would represent him if he turns pro.

“I’m far from making my decision,” he said.

Dunn, who was accompanied by several associates, declined to comment.

While cognizant of the deadline, Bush said there was no timetable for an announcement about his plans.

“I’ve just got to be 100% sure of what I’m going to do before I make my decision,” he said. “That could be as early as [today] or it could take as long as up to the end of the week, or until Sunday, the actual day.”

Running back LenDale White, offensive linemen Winston Justice and Fred Matua, flanker Steve Smith and safety Darnell Bing are other draft-eligible USC juniors.

After an afternoon team meeting, Carroll said White had left him a phone message, but that he had not spoken to him Monday. White said last week he would announce his decision Thursday.

Justice said he was “still up in the air” and that he planned to meet with Carroll. Matua also said he was undecided. “It would take a lot for me to leave this university,” he said.

Smith said the NFL had evaluated him as a possible third-round pick and that he would talk to his family about a possible decision on Monday night.

Bing did not attend the team meeting, but Carroll said he would meet with him this afternoon.

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Running back Michael Coleman will have hip surgery today but could be ready to participate in spring practice, Carroll said. Linebacker Brian Cushing is scheduled to have shoulder surgery in the next few days. Running back Desmond Reed, who had knee surgery Nov. 7, said he was ahead of schedule in his recovery and that he hoped to be running near full speed by June.... Safety Antwine Perez graduated early from high school in New Jersey and is enrolled for the spring semester. Tight end Gerald Washington, a transfer from Chaffey College, also has enrolled. Defensive lineman Walker Lee Ashley, who signed a letter of intent last year but did not qualify, also is attempting to enroll. ... Walk-on receiver Brad Walker said he was preparing to make a block when Bush ill-advisedly attempted to lateral to him and fumbled after a 37-yard pass reception against Texas in the Rose Bowl. “We made eye contact but I thought he was going to cut back toward me because I thought he could make those two guys miss,” Walker said. “I took my eyes off him and all of a sudden you see the ball flying at you.” ... Running back Chauncey Washington, who was ineligible the last two seasons and is also ineligible to participate in spring practice, will remain in school and attempt to play in the fall, Carroll said. ... Receiver Whitney Lewis denied published reports that he was considering transferring. “I’m here to stay. I’ve never been a quitter,” he said.