Marinovich’s Announcement Expected Today

Suspended USC quarterback Todd Marinovich is expected to announce at a news conference today that he will petition the NFL for entry into its April draft, although a family friend and adviser said Thursday night that he could confirm only that Marinovich would “discuss his future” with reporters.

“I’m not going to speak for him,” said Steve Clarkson, a former San Jose State quarterback who has worked as Marinovich’s personal coach.

Today is the deadline for underclassmen to apply for entry into the NFL draft and it has been widely speculated that Marinovich would meet the deadline. A sophomore, he was indefinitely suspended by Coach Larry Smith on Jan. 11 because he had failed to register for the spring semester and missed a mandatory team meeting.

It was later revealed that, on the day of the meeting at USC, Marinovich was in Anaheim, interviewing prospective agents.

He has since registered for classes, but has yet to attend, according to a spokesman in the USC athletic department.