Carrier, Safety for USC, Will Enter the NFL Draft

Mark Carrier, twice a first-team All-American safety, has decided to follow linebacker Junior Seau’s lead and leave USC before his senior season in order to enter the NFL draft, scheduled for April 22-23.

“This was a very difficult decision for me, but I felt that in the long run it was in the best interest of me and my family if I entered the NFL draft now,” Carrier said. “I feel as if I’ve accomplished all I can accomplish at USC and I’m ready to step up to the challenges of the next level.”

Seau, who made his decision a month ago, is expected to be a top pick in the draft, whereas Carrier is projected as a middle first-round or high second-round choice.

“I realize it’s a gamble to come out early because it’s so hard to project what will happen in the draft, but I’m willing to see what happens,” Carrier said.

Carrier said he has no second thoughts about his decision. “My feeling was if I didn’t go, I’d always be asking myself, ‘What if?’ I don’t think that would be fair to my teammates.”

Carrier, who was a redshirt freshman from Long Beach Poly High, would have been a fifth-year senior.

A communications major, Carrier is only three classes away from graduating, and said he plans to obtain his degree.

“USC will always be my home,” Carrier said. “I have USC to thank for helping me become the person I am today. I’d especially like to thank all my coaches and teammates for their support and help.”

Carrier had 13 interceptions and 336 tackles during a three-year career as a starter.

“Mark has been an outstanding student-athlete at USC,” Coach Larry Smith said. “He has achieved great heights here and he’s been a tremendous asset to our program.

“I know his decision was well thought out solely by him and his family,” Smith said. “Mark told me that the hardest part of his decision was having to leave a place that he loves. He’s a great person and we all wish him much luck and success in his quest in pro football.”