He’s in a Holding Pattern

After watching NFL teams select five wide receivers among the first 15 players chosen in last weekend’s draft, Mike Williams’ agent said Monday that the former USC All-American would probably have to exhaust his legal opportunities before possibly applying for reinstatement with the NCAA to regain his college eligibility.

Williams, a sophomore last season, dropped his classes at USC and hired agent Mike Azzarelli after a U.S. District Court judge ruled in February that the NFL’s mandate that a player must be three years removed from high school to be eligible for the draft was a violation of antitrust law. The ruling cleared the way for former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett and all underclassmen to make themselves available for the draft.

A three-judge appellate panel blocked that ruling, however, saying it needed more time to delve into the issue. Clarett then appealed to the Supreme Court.

On Thursday, two Supreme Court justices rejected emergency appeals, making Clarett, Williams and others who had petitioned for inclusion ineligible for the draft.

The players will be eligible for a supplemental draft if the appeals court eventually upholds the decision of the district court judge. The appeals court is expected to rule within the next month.

Azzarelli said Williams would not apply for reinstatement with the NCAA while the appellate court decision was pending.

“We would not do anything until we get a result from the appellate court,” Azzarelli said. “That’s just too many things going on in too many directions.”

Azzarelli said Williams “went down to an island” out of the country over the weekend so he would not to be exposed to the draft proceedings.

“It was depressing for me to watch,” Azzarelli said. “I can imagine it would have been for him too.”

Williams could not be reached for comment.

After the appeals court issued a stay of the lower court ruling, Williams withdrew a lawsuit he had filed against the NFL. Azzarelli said, however, that if the appeals court ruled in favor of the NFL, Williams would file another lawsuit.

“Once we retool,” he said, “you’ll see it again.”

*

At least three members of USC’s national championship team who were not selected in the NFL draft have been signed as free agents.

Center Norm Katnik signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Defensive back Marcell Allmond and offensive lineman Lenny Vandermade signed with the Baltimore Ravens.