USC’s Smith Says Peete Was Misled by Some Clubs About His Draft Status

USC Coach Larry Smith said Tuesday that his star quarterback, Rodney Pete, was misled by some National Football League teams about his draft status.

“I’m not mentioning any names but Rodney was led to believe that he would be drafted in the second round,” Smith said. “I have had this happen to other players I’ve coached.

“I realize I’m biased towards our own guy, but I’m shocked and angry. I guess I don’t know anything about football.”

Peete, the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, was drafted in the sixth round Monday by the Detroit Lions, eight quarterbacks having been chosen ahead of him.

Smith said that Peete was influenced by some NFL clubs to pass up a pro baseball career because of a reportedly better future in pro football.

Smith also said he will not allow NFL teams to work out his players on campus in advance of the draft. That’s a common practice and Peete said that several NFL teams arranged workouts for him at USC.