Booty Might Enroll Early at USC

John David Booty, a quarterback from Louisiana who is regarded as perhaps the top high school football player in the Class of 2004, might skip his senior season and enroll at USC for the fall, his father said Saturday.

Booty, who attends Evangel Christian High in Shreveport, La., made a verbal commitment to USC last month after observing two spring workouts. Needing to complete only one English credit to graduate, he was planning to play his senior season -- including a game against Concord De La Salle -- and enroll at USC for next spring.

But Booty’s father, John, was relieved of his duties as Evangel Christian’s quarterbacks coach Friday. John Booty said he began a Bible study group and ministry-related Web site, and that the chancellor of the school did not want him to continue coaching.

The elder Booty, who has tutored numerous all-state passers at Evangel Christian, did not rule out his son returning to the school, which has won three of the last four division 5-A state titles.

“His other option would be just to move on to USC,” John Booty said.

John Booty said he intended to contact USC Coach Pete Carroll this weekend. John David, 19, conceivably could complete his schoolwork for graduation through an interim course or during the summer.

“We just need to talk through some issues and get [Carroll’s] feel for the situation ... “ John Booty said. “We want John David to do what’s in his heart. He might be preparing to do something. He just needs to talk to Coach Carroll before he does it.”

NCAA rules forbid coaches to talk publicly about recruits until they receive signed letters of intent or are enrolled in school.

USC, searching for a replacement for Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, finished spring practice last Saturday with its quarterback situation largely unsettled. Matt Leinart, who will be a redshirt sophomore next season, started the annual spring game but is expected to be challenged again in the fall by redshirt junior Matt Cassel, junior transfer Brandon Hance and redshirt sophomore Billy Hart.