Marinovich Reportedly Will Leave USC for NFL

Todd Marinovich, USC’s sophomore quarterback, has decided to leave school and enter the NFL draft, according to a published report.

Marinovich, 21, intends to petition the NFL this month for the spring draft, an unidentified source told The National in today’s editions.

Marinovich’s father, Marv, said the quarterback had just returned from a five-day vacation to think about turning pro.

“I can’t disprove it,” Marv Marinovich said. “Todd makes his own decisions. Now is certainly the time to look at it. The guy is going to be a franchise quarterback. The USC offense doesn’t allow for a quick release or the deep ball. The pro game is better suited for him.”

Marinovich would technically be the first sophomore to enter the NFL draft. He was redshirted as a freshman and would qualify for the draft under the league’s three-year underclassmen rule.

Marinovich and USC Coach Larry Smith often feuded this season and got into two visible exchanges after Marinovich was pulled after his third interception on Dec. 31 in USC’s 17-16 loss to Michigan State in the John Hancock Bowl.

Earlier in the season, the quarterback had been the subject of speculation that he would leave USC--as well as speculation that he would win the Heisman Trophy. But Marinovich asked that reporters stop questioning him about his Heisman and NFL prospects, saying it was a distraction.