UCLA’s Eldridge Massington holds no grudge against USC

UCLA receiver Eldridge Massington is one of many UCLA players who was also recruited by USC.

In fact, he had committed to USC before suffering a severe knee injury prior to his senior year at West Mesquite High in Mesquite, Texas, in 2011. Saturday will be his first game against the Trojans, when UCLA plays USC at the Rose Bowl.

Massington wanted to enroll in December at USC, but was told that there was no scholarship room until summer. He flipped to UCLA, and said Tuesday that there were no hard feelings.

“I wasn’t worried about it,” Massington said. “It was something I couldn’t control. I got a lot friends over there. I still go over there from time to time to see how their doing.”

Massington is tied for third on the team with 24 receptions. He has 354 receiving yards, second most for the Bruins. He has touchdown receptions of 80 and 40 yards.

Others at UCLA with USC history went into hiding.

Running back Coach Kennedy Polamalu played at USC from 1982-85 and had two tours as an assistant coach, from 2000-03 and 2010-12. He is refusing all interview requests this week.