Hayes Has Brief Statement, Practice

Receiver Windrell Hayes joined the Trojans on the field Thursday afternoon, a day after receiving three years probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge in a bad-check scam in which he faced felony charges before reaching a deal with prosecutors.

After practice, Hayes made a brief statement about his situation and said he would answer “sports-oriented questions.”

“As for the court case, that’s over with,” he said. “I’m glad to be here. I’ve been anxious to get out here for a couple of months. I’m glad USC gave me a chance to still come in. I’m just looking forward to starting over.”

Coach Paul Hackett reiterated his stance that Hayes won’t face a suspension.

“You have to separate, at least in my mind, when someone becomes part of the team,” he said.

“He’s now part of our football team and will be scrutinized just like everybody else.”

Hayes did a lot of watching Thursday, the team’s first day in pads, partly because under NCAA rules he must work out in shorts for three days.