USC’s Adoree’ Jackson may give full attention to track, and Olympics, in spring

Adoree’ Jackson came to USC with goals of winning the Heisman Trophy and the Thorpe Award as college football’s top defensive back, and to participate in the Olympics as a long jumper.

Jackson will have the opportunity to pursue his Olympic dream this spring.

Coach Clay Helton said Sunday that Jackson would be excused from spring practice to focus on track and field, as he was promised during his recruitment.

“I’ve always believed if you’re going to be a master at something, you’ve got to work at it — and don’t be a jack of all trades,” Helton said, adding, “when you get the opportunity to go work for the Olympics, you need to go work at that.”

Last year as a freshman, Jackson participated in track part time and won the Pac-12 Conference long-jump title with a mark of 25 feet 3 inches. He leaped 25-11 at the NCAA championships and finished fifth.

The qualifying standard for the 2016 U.S. Olympic trials is 26-5.

At last summer’s U.S. track and field championships, the top three finishers jumped at least 27 feet 7½ inches. The winner leaped 28-5¾.

This would be the first time since he arrived at USC that Jackson completely focused on track.

“If it was up to me — where my heart is — I would want to go out there,” Jackson said of forgoing spring football practice for track. “I’ll just see what’s best overall for me and for the team.”

USC will have a new defensive coordinator this spring, but Helton and Jackson both said that learning a new scheme would not be a problem for a player who has started at cornerback the last two seasons.

Jackson had a national coming-out of sorts in last year’s Holiday Bowl. He scored on a kickoff return and a long catch-and-run pass play in the Trojans’ 45-42 victory over Nebraska.

Jackson has scored five touchdowns this season — two on kick returns, two on passes and one on an interception return.

He said he would not attempt to duplicate last season’s bowl performance when USC plays Wisconsin in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30.

“If the opportunity comes where I can go score a touchdown . . . then so be it,” he said. “But just play my game.”

Wheeler remains absent

Left tackle Chad Wheeler remained absent after an incident Saturday that apparently involved an altercation with police at a residence near USC. No arrest was made.

“It’s really a personal and private issue that I can’t talk about, but to wish Chad the best,” Helton said.

Helton said he had not spoken with the fourth-year junior. Asked if Wheeler could participate in the Holiday Bowl, Helton said, “I don’t have a crystal ball right now, to be honest with you. We’re working our way through it.”

Helton, who was named USC’s head coach on Nov. 30, said that more than two decades of experience working under other head coaches prepared him for dealing with off-the-field situations involving players.

“After 21 years of college football, you’ve kind of seen every situation and how different men handle things,” he said. “My primary concern has always been our kids and their well-being.”

Zach Banner is on track to start at left tackle, Chuma Edoga at right tackle.

Cravens to make run at draft

Linebacker Su’a Cravens, who announced last week that he would make himself available for the NFL draft, did not request an evaluation from the league but said information he gleaned from scouts projected him as a mid- to late-first-round pick.

“I had a good feeling of where I’m going to go,” he said.

After the Holiday Bowl, Cravens will focus on running a fast time in the 40-yard dash. Players are tested at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, pro days on campus and individual workouts.

A time of 4.4 seconds would put him in the discussion to be a top-15 pick, Cravens said.

“To me, the 40 doesn’t matter, doesn’t define you as a football player,” Cravens said, adding, “there are a lot of fast guys in the league that don’t play. But teams are investing a lot of money into you, so they want to see how fast you run.”

Cravens said he has been covered by an insurance policy this season, so he will not take one out for the Holiday Bowl.

His effort, he said, would remain the same.

“I play every game like it’s my last,” he said. “I don’t think you can turn on any game and see that my effort’s any different or see that I’m not giving it my all.”

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein